The American Veterinary Medical Association is assisting hurricane victims by offering online resources and $100,000 in grant support to veterinarians and by working closely with public and private responders.
“In addition to providing financial support, the AVMA is playing an important role in helping to disseminate information within the veterinary community, between the veterinary community and organizations providing animal and public assistance, and to animal owners and advocates so that those who need help get the right support as quickly as possible,” said Michael Whitehair, DVM, chairman of the AVMA board of directors.
AVMA estimated that more than 1 million animals were impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
“Animal shelters and veterinary hospitals, most of which are already at capacity, are working overtime to accommodate the influx of injured, tired, cold and hungry animals lost or left behind,” the Schaumburg, Illinois, organization reported.
AVMA is a member of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition. The organization also stated that it is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency “to plan and coordinate animal-related response to the storm.”
For veterinarians, online resources are available at bit.ly/2gvClta. The information includes insurance topics, emergency planning tools and instructions on how to apply for financial assistance through the American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Disaster Reimbursement Grants program.
Donations to the AVMA foundation may be made at AVMF.org/Donate. The code “Disaster Relief” should be entered to designate money for reimbursement grants.