The American Veterinary Medical Foundation has been helping veterinarians recover from professional and personal damages and expenses resulting from floods, ice storms, and fires through the foundation's $2,000 relief awards.

But because recent major disasters have caused veterinarians' out-of-pocket animal medical expenses to exceed the $2,000 award amount, the AVMF board of directors recently approved awarding up to $5,000 in animal care reimbursement for disasters that occur after Feb. 3, 2008. In light of the recent tornado damage in the South, the AVMF hopes that the new awards will help maintain the health and welfare of the animals affected by the devastation.

Veterinarians directly involved in disasters prior to Feb. 3 may still apply for up to $2,000 in relief and/or reimbursement, up to nine months after the date of the disaster.

For more information, contact Monique Buonincontro, AVMF grants coordinator, at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6691, or mbuonincontro@avma.org.