Today, the AVMA Executive Board has allocated $500,000 in matching funds to solicit monetary donations for a fund established by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to go toward disaster relief efforts in the Gulf States ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Board members unanimously approved the half-a-million-dollar gift to the AVMF Animal Disaster Relief and Response Fund, to come from reserves, during a special teleconference chaired by Dr. Robert "Bud" Hertzog on Sept. 7.

The board action initiated the immediate donation by the AVMA of $100,000 to encourage contributions from the veterinary community, public, and industry partners. Contributions to the fund exceeding $1 million will be used to aid in future disasters.

Days earlier, the AVMF Board of Directors set up the fund to help alleviate suffering in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida caused by Katrina. The fund will be used to cover costs associated with medical treatment for animals, animal care, AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams currently operating in storm-damaged areas, and the teams' supplies and equipment.

Following the vote, Dr. Hertzog commented, "It speaks well of the AVMA that the Executive Board unanimously supported this recommendation."

Donations to the fund should be designated for the "AVMF Animal Disaster Relief and Response Fund." Send checks to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Department 20-1122, P.O. Box 5940, Carol Stream, IL 60197-5940; or donate online at www.avmf.org.

Volunteers to Help in Disaster Relief

The US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Inspection Service is looking for volunteers (veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants, veterinary students) to assist in recovery efforts and in future natural and animal disease emergencies. Send an email to EmergencyVMO@aphis.usda.gov with the subject line “New NAHERC Volunteer” for more information on how you can get involved.  Please do not send your requests to volunteer to Dr. Cindy Lovern at the AVMA headquarters.

Temporary Housing/Employment Opportunities for Veterinarians and Veterinary Staff

In an effort to assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other veterinary staff affected by Hurricane Katrina, AVMA is establishing a list of people and clinics willing to offer temporary employment and/or housing to these displaced individuals.  These offers will be posted online.

In addition, AVMA wants to establish a database of displaced veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary staff so we can start assisting these individuals with finding temporary employment or housing.

If you would be interested in offering temporary employment/housing or are a displaced veterinary related individual and want to be added to our lists, email us at vetcareers@avma.org or call Cindy Coy at 1-800-248-2862 ext 6683.  Please put Katrina in the subject line and give us your full name, phone number and email address (if possible) and we will contact you for more information.

We have had contact with several of the veterinary state boards in all of the states and some of the Canadian provinces and have received back about 25 responses with information regarding licensure requirements for hiring displaced veterinarians.  We are encouraging the State Veterinary Medical Associations to work with their corresponding Veterinary State Boards to establish guidelines for temporary employment requirements so that you may better inform your members before they extend an employment offer.  The AVMA website will also provide the information we have received from our inquiries and it will be updated daily. It is our understanding that the AAVSB has pledged to waive any score report fees for purposes of licensure in other states