Foundation mounts appeal to aid animal victims of terrorist attack

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

At press time, heroic search-and-rescue efforts were under way in New York City and Washington, D.C., for victims of the terrorist attack.

Disaster relief that benefits animals is one of the primary areas the American Veterinary Medical Foundation funds. On Sept. 13 the AVMF issued an appeal for aid so it can prepare for requests for monetary assistance. Veterinarians in New York, Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas are eligible if they have treated animals harmed in the attack or rescue dogs injured in the course of their duties.

AVMF Executive Director Paul Amundsen said, "Millions of Americans are wondering what they can do. One way you can help is by sending a contribution to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. The AVMF equips and prepares Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams like those in New York and provides aid to all veterinarians who treat animals injured in disasters—be they natural or man-made."

VMAT-1 and members of VMAT-2 have been treating search-and-rescue dogs in New York City and providing veterinary care to injured and abandoned animals around the disaster sites. The other three teams were put on advisory status.

Any donations to the disaster fund that are not used in New York and Washington, D.C. will be applied in future disaster relief efforts. As of press time, the AVMF had received close to 800 donations totaling more than $100,000.

Gifts may be made via the AVMF's secure Web site, www.avmf.org, or by calling (800) 248-2862, ext. 613.

American Veterinary Medical Foundation