AVMF disaster relief fund surpasses million-dollar goal

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In early October, a month after the American Veterinary Medical Foundation set up a fund to aid animal victims of the storm-ravaged Gulf States, the veterinary community, public, and industry partners answered the call with more than $734,000 in donations.

And with $500,000 in matching contributions from the AVMA, the AVMF Animal Disaster Relief and Response Fund quickly surpassed the million-dollar goal set by the AVMF board of directors.

The AVMF fund is being used to cover costs associated with medical treatment for animals, animal care, AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams deployed to areas damaged by the hurricanes, and the teams' supplies and equipment.

In addition, the AVMF is using the donations to provide grants of up to $2,000 for veterinarians affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita (see news item). Applicants include those from across the country who are incurring out-of-pocket expenses for providing veterinary medical treatment, care, and supplies to animal victims of the storms.