Check your home and fences for damage. Loose fences may not properly confine a frightened, disoriented pet. Damaged windows could injure or allow a pet to escape your home.

Check your yard and pastures for debris that could injure your pet or livestock.

If you have lost a pet, don't wait! Contact your local animal control agency immediately. Animal Control Officers will be out in neighborhoods rescuing lost or loose pets. You can also call your local animal control agency to report loose or aggressive animals after the storm.

If someone found a pet they may have taken it to a local animal welfare shelter. Be sure to call and visit those shelters as well.

Don't let pets drink from or swim in flood waters. Creeks and bayous may be full and currents may be very strong. Pets and people can easily slip and be swept away with flood waters. Stay away from flooded areas. Be especially cautious of displaced wildlife. Snakes and other wild animals may be found in back yards, garages, and sheds. Mounds of fire ants can frequently be found floating in high water and left in mounds throughout the yard. Don't leave your pets unattended until you are sure the area is safe. Remember, veterinary services may be slow to reopen. Take precautions against a medical emergency.

Remember, disruption of regular routines is stressful on pets as well as people. You may notice behavior changes, loss of appetite, or other signs of stress. During events like Eduardo our schedules frequently change. We change what we eat and when. As much as possible, keep you pet on his regular schedule and his regular food. Don't feed him people food and make sure he has a quiet, safe place to rest. If behavior problems or other signs of stress persist, or become worrisome, contact your veterinarian.

Harris County Disaster Animal Management Task Force Members

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, Veterinary Public Health, Task Force Chair
City of Houston Health & Human Services
City of Houston Office of Emergency Management
City of Houston Zoological Garden
Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Harris County Sheriff's Department--Livestock Division
Harris County Veterinary Medical Association
Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Texas Animal Health Commission
Texas Cooperative Extension--Texas A&M University

Photo of some homes surrounded by flood waters captured by Air 11. To view the complete khou.com slideshow, click here.