The Pet Care Trust - News Releases

One the Pet Care Trust's 1998 grant recipients has made great progress in fulfilling the intent of their $10,000.00 grant proposal request for funding. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF [AVMA's non-profit foundation]) has created a much needed program to respond to the health care needs of animals following disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. In the past, well-meaning efforts to assist local affected areas have been complicated by poor communication and transport glitches, with donated food and materials never getting to the animals and people that could benefit most from the outpouring of contributions and good will.

The Pet Care Trust Board of Trustees decided to co-fund this project because it created a team of disaster relief experts which placed AVMF Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMATs) in charge to provide care for animals affected by or injured in national disasters. An agreement was signed by the Office of Emergency Preparedness (Dept. of Health and Human Services) the American Red Cross and the AVMA, which assigns oversight of all animal care and welfare operation to the AVMF Teams as national leaders in animal-related relief efforts. The Team will coordinate all efforts with local DVMs, local and national humane organizations, shelters, government officials and volunteers involved in animal health when local disaster needs exceed available resources and when requested by local or state officials.

The AVMF acted quickly with funding provided by the Pet Care Trust and other national foundations and animal related industries. To date, three completely equipped mobile veterinary medical field stations have been created and 72% of the volunteer veterinarians and veterinary technicians needed to serve the nation in time natural of disaster have completed their emergency preparedness training. One team has already been requested and responded to a hurricane disaster in 1998.

The Pet Care Trust Board believes that the $10,000.00 co-funding, awarded for this $52,880.00 project (equipment and training for 5 teams) reflects the interest and dedication of the U.S. Pet Industry in providing productive solutions for problems affecting the health and welfare of companion animals and their owners. Questions or comments about this and other Trust programs should be referred to Dr. John Pitts, Program Coordinator, Pet Care Trust, (360) 765-3311, fax (360) 765-3399; jlpitts@olympus.net