Animal Services Changes Hours Open to the Public to Increase Adoptions

Starting November 1, 2018, Fort Bend County Animal Services (FBCAS) will be open for adoptions on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm and will close to the public on Mondays.

“We are excited to make this change at the shelter! We hope that the community takes advantage of the new hours and comes by the shelter on Sundays to meet our adoptable pets,” said Rene Vasquez, Director of FBCAS.

New FBCAS Adoption Hours:

  • Saturday, 11am – 3pm
  • Sunday, 11am – 3pm
  • Monday, closed
  • Tuesday, 10am – 4pm
  • Wednesday, 10am – 4pm; 5-7pm (closed 4-5pm for cleaning)
  • Thursday, 10am – 4pm
  • Friday, 10am – 4pm

FBCAS is located at 1210 Blume Rd. in Rosenberg, TX 77471

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program Launches New Game App: Mosquito Mayhem

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program at Fort Bend County Health & Human Services has developed a mobile app game in cooperation with Zco Corporation to create public awareness of mosquito breeding conditions and ways they can be eliminated

“This app is a great way to introduce public health to the new generation of mobile users. It will engage our youngest residents of the county and hopefully instill good mosquito preventive habits,” said Dr. M. desVignes-Kendrick, Local Health Authority and Director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.

Mosquito Mayhem provides a fun and exciting way to learn about the routine activities people can do to control the attack and breeding of mosquitoes around their home. “We are very excited to step into the ‘gaming’ world to provide an innovative way for children and parents to learn more about mosquitoes and ways to keep them from breeding around their home,” said David Olinger, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.

The app “gamifies” these activities by using a typical home as the main setting of the game. Around the home, there are multiple problem areas where mosquitoes can breed. These problem areas and preventive actions are executed as mini-games within the app. The gamer has to provide maintenance to the breeding spots in a timely manner to prevent mosquito attacks. The mini-games emphasize the need for people to prioritize mosquito control efforts and the elimination of breeding sites.

The game is now available to the public for free download on Android Google Play and Apple App Store.

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services recommends residents to vaccinate against measles

Measles activity has spiked in our neighboring counties. As of today, no confirmed cases of measles have been reported to the health department, Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. Individuals should protect themselves through vaccination.  Vaccination is best way to provide protection against measles and other diseases.

“Measles is an easily preventable disease. Individuals can protect themselves and their family against the disease by getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Mary desVignes-Kendrick, Director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. “Measles is a highly contagious disease, and it can spread quickly in communities where people are not vaccinated. Protect yourself, your family, and the community by vaccinating against diseases.”

Measles can be serious, especially for young children and anyone who is not protected against measles. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It starts with a fever, and then it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death.

You can protect your child against measles with a combination vaccine that provides protection against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The MMR vaccine is proven to be very safe and effective. CDC recommends that children get two doses:

  • the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and
  • the second dose before entering school at 4 through 6 years of age.

Your child’s doctor may offer the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). MMRV vaccine is licensed for children 12 months through 12 years of age. It may be used in place of MMR vaccine if a child needs to have varicella vaccine in addition to measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. Your child’s doctor can help you decide which vaccine to use.

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services will continue to monitor the nation, state, and region-wide spike of measles.

For more information on measles, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or speak to your primary health care provider.

Fort Bend County Encourages Private Water Well Owners to Test their Water Annually

It is important for Fort Bend County residents using a private water well to safeguard the quality of water for their families.  Because water quality can be affected by many variables, the first step is to test the water.   All property owners should test their water wells annually. 

More frequent testing should be considered if:

  • There is a change in the taste, odor, or appearance of the well water, or inundation by floodwater
  • The well has a history of bacterial contamination
  • The septic system has recently malfunctioned
  • An infant is living in the home
  • Family members or house guests have recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness, or have lowered immune systems

Water contamination:  Water wells in flooded areas should always be considered contaminated. If a private well is flooded or has been subjected to possible contamination, use only bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking (including washing food you eat raw), and bathing until you can disinfect your well and have a sample tested. Do not use the water from the well until the following things have occurred:

  • You have disinfected the well and your plumbing
  • You have sampled your water and received a lab report confirming that the disinfected water contained no harmful organisms

Approved water sample bottles, instructions and related forms are available in the Environmental Health Department office, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Suite A-800.  Do not collect the sample in an unapproved container; do not use jars or other containers from home or other sources.

Submit samples on Wednesdays ONLY between 8 and 12am.  A cost of $16.50 per sample is required at the time of submission (check or money order only payable to City of Houston). Cash is not accepted. 

Note:  This test will not detect chemicals or other substances such as lead or nitrites.  If you are concerned about possible chemicals or other contaminates in your water, you should contact a private water quality or treatment service company.

For more information on water wells, owners and consumers are recommended to visit the National Ground Water Association at www.wellowner.org or City of Houston web page www.houstontx.gov/health/Lab/water.html

Residents invited to ribbon cutting ceremony for Animal Services’ new intake facility

Fort Bend County Animal Services will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony July 18 at 4 p.m. for its new Intake Facility at 1210 Blume Road in Rosenberg.

The facility, now ready for medical staff and pets, features an intake room where new pets are screened for a microchip, receive initial vaccinations, and get a medical check-up. It also has two rooms dedicated to cats, one for quarantine of cats involved in bite investigations and the other for sick cats that require isolation. The new facility will also add 24 dog kennels and 12 quarantine kennels. Additionally, the Intake Facility has a new surgical suite for spay/neuter surgeries, medical office, conference/training room, and an office area for Animal Control Officers when they return from the field so they can enter animal information into the shelter’s software.

“We are really excited to add this new facility to the shelter. Our pets deserve the best initial medical evaluation we can give them, and now with our new veterinary and surgical suite for spay/neuter, we will be able to go above and beyond our current capability,” said Rene Vasquez, Animal Services Director.

Other areas in the new facility include a bathing room, whelping room for expectant moms and puppies, a large food storage room, and a laundry and storage room for the medical staff.

In the future, Animal Services will add three new play yards near the facility. The play yards will be funded through an ASPCA grant to ensure the Dogs Playing for Life program continues, giving shelter dogs the opportunity to play and socialize every day.

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Fort Bend County Social Services Presents “Fort Bend Serves”

Fort Bend County Social Services will host its first annual National Nonprofit Day event, Fort Bend Serves, on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at participating nonprofits.

Local nonprofits across the county will collaborate on this day to showcase the importance of their organization and work in the Fort Bend community. Fort Bend County is home to numerous nonprofit organizations serving a rapidly growing community with changing demographics, social, and economic needs. Interested individuals, groups and families will have an opportunity to tour the facility/facilities of their choice.

After the tour, we are asking everyone to act on his or her passion and sign-up to volunteer, make a donation or become an agency advocate.

“Sherita J. Herring, a renowned speaker, best-selling author and business strategist, founded National Nonprofit Day to educate, enlighten and empower others to make a difference, while acknowledging those that are in the trenches, impacting lives every day – the Change-Makers of the World!” (The National Day Calendar)

For participating nonprofits and more information, visit Social Services’ website or contact Stasha Scruggs at 281-344-6116.

 

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Fort Bend County Animal Services is named in American Pets Alive! “10 Shelters that Kicked Ass in 2019”

American Pets Alive! recognizes Fort Bend County Animal Services for a major step in saving the lives of animals in 2019. In its 2019 statement, American Pets Alive!, a nonprofit pet rescue organization, said the 10 selected shelters have embraced changes in a variety of ways and are becoming lifesaving leaders in their communities. “I have had the great pleasure of working with Rene Vasquez and the whole team at Fort Bend County Animal Services. This team is a hardworking, dedicated team working hard to save as many animals as they can while also providing a good quality of life for the animals there. In 2018 they created TNR/SNR and amazingly so many cats were saved that previously would not have been. Rene encourages thinking outside of the box and I enjoy working with this team!” said Faith Wright, Shelter Management Advisor from American Pets Alive!

Fort Bend County was nominated for its successful Trap Neuter Return (TNR) and Shelter Neuter Return (SNR) programs, which have allowed Fort Bend County to save 1,703 cats. “This acknowledgment validates to a great extent that what we are doing in animal services is on target. Fort Bend County continues to move forward and adopt best practices, ensuring we will remain one of the top animal shelter programs in the nation,” said Dr. Mary desVignes-Kendrick, Director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.

Background

In 2018, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved changes to the Animal Control Ordinance, recognizing the practice of trapping, neutering/spaying, vaccinating and returning un-owned community cats. Following the change, Fort Bend County Animal Services launched a Community Cat TNR/SNR Pilot Program that proved to be successful.

HIV/STI (Public)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

STDs are acquired by having sex or sexual contact with an infected person. Examples of these diseases include HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. STDs infect more than 10 million Americans each year. People may be unaware they are infected with an STD because many times the symptoms are not easily noticed. STDs can occur again and again. They can cause serious damage if left untreated, including blindness, sterility, and death. STDs are especially dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

 

Text 2 Test - Get tested for free! Text us at 832-945-1391 to schedule your HIV test.

Text2Test Flyers and FAQs [PDF]

HIV/STD Testing & Counseling Services

Counseling and testing services are offered through Clinical Health Services.

We offer FREE HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea testing. No I.D. or insurance is required for the testing.

FREE CONDOMS

We offer FREE Condoms.

Correctly using a condom every time you have sex can reduce (though not eliminate) the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis. Learn how to correctly use a condom at cdc.gov.

STD Treatment

Treatment is provided upon referrals from community physicians, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and local clinics. HIV counseling and testing is also provided.

In order for you to be treated for an STD, schedule an appointment and bring your current lab results (30 days of test date) and a prescription if applicable.

Confidentiality

Clinical Health Services staff are bound by law to confidentiality regarding any diagnosis and treatment. Our staff will not discuss your health with anyone but you per HIPAA regulations.

After Your Clinic Visit

If you were diagnosed with an STD:

  • Take all medicine as directed.
  • Refer your sex partner(s) to the HIV/STD clinic for testing & treatment.
  • Contact the clinic immediately if symptoms re-occur.
  • To reduce risk of re-infection, use a condom every time you have sex (do not re-use a condom).
  • Return to the clinic in two weeks, for test results. STD results are not released over the telephone.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

About PrEP

What is PrEP?

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

Are there different types of PrEP?

There are two medications approved for use as PrEP: Truvada® and Descovy®.

  • Truvada® is for all people at risk through sex or injection drug use.
  • Descovy® is for people at risk through sex, except for people assigned female at birth who are at risk of getting HIV from vaginal sex.

Is PrEP safe?

PrEP is safe but some people experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, headache, fatigue, and stomach pain. These side effects usually go away over time. Tell your health care provider about any side effects that are severe or do not go away. Learn more about side effects from the Truvada® and Descovy®.

For more information about PrEP, contact Juston at 832-495-0529

RESOURCES

FBCCHS HIV/STI Prevention Program Community Advisory Board

Interested in serving on out HIV/STI Community Advisory Board?

Click here to complete an application!

HIV/STI (Providers)

Providers

Contact Us

All services are by appointment please call 281-342-6414 to make an appointment.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

  •  Screenings
  • Contact testing
  • TB disease treatment
  • TB infection treatment

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