You can help prepare!

Join the Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps

WHAT:  The Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps was first established in 2004 by the Board of Animal Health to prepare for animal disease emergencies.  It was soon realized that the Veterinary Reserve Corps could be asked to perform as an “all-hazards”, “all-emergencies” group.  It then became a program of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.  Examples of possible missions include: disease outbreaks; radiological monitoring and decontamination of pets; responding to natural disasters in support of animals; and public education.

The Corps may be asked to respond to environmental disasters such as floods, fires, tornados and blizzards or other disasters such as radiological contamination or chemical spills. 

Members could be called upon to assist with animal care and treatment, evacuation, vaccination, specimen collection, decontamination, euthanasia, necropsy, collecting epidemiological information, supervisory or office support, or they may even be called to work in a practice to temporarily replace someone else who has gone to assist in the emergency.

WHO:  The Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps is comprised of members of the veterinary profession.  Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and the students of these professions are the volunteers who make the Veterinary Reserve Corps capable of responding to an emergency.  In an actual emergency/disaster, the Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps may integrate with other agencies or groups, whose goals or missions are similar.

WHERE:  The Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps could be called upon to respond anywhere in the state of Minnesota.  Participation in any emergency is voluntary.

WHEN:  The Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps could be called upon by one of many state or local agencies in the event of an emergency or asked to participate in the planning and/or training for various animal emergencies.   The Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps will only respond if asked by the agency that has jurisdiction in that emergency.   The Veterinary Corps will not “self-deploy”, and will adhere to the Incident Command System.

HOW:  Registering for the Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps is easy.  Using a computer, go online, and simply type www.mnresponds.org to fill out an application.  No computer?  No problem.  Obtain an application from the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.  Fill out the application and return it to MVMA, 101 Bridgepoint Way, Suite 100.  South St. Paul, MN  55075.   Phone
651-645-7533.

QUESTIONS: Contact Dr. Mike Hannon, Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps Coordinator at coordinator.mvrc@gmail.com or 763-682-6869.
  

Please click the link below to see how you can help those affected by Hurricane Ike.

http://www.tvma.org/Media_Room/Ike_disaster_relief_08.phtml