AVMA News

AVMF increases disaster grants to support veterinary community

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the charitable arm of the AVMA, has expanded its donor-backed disaster relief grant program to better support veterinary professionals affected by hurricanes, wildfire, floods, and other emergencies.

AVMF Disaster Relief and Reimbursement Grants help animals and those who care for them following these devastating events.

Dr. Rena Carlson, chair of the AVMF board of directors, said, “Given the frequency of natural disasters, we wanted to provide more support to our members and those within the veterinary community. Many of our donors support disaster relief, and we decided we could increase our support when people need it the most.”

Two relief veterinarians treat a large dog with injuries
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the charitable arm of the AVMA, provides tens of thousands of dollars in disaster relief grants every year. In 2023, the AVMF provided grant funding to the Maui Humane Society (MHS) to assist with wildfire response efforts. These critical resources, made possible by the Foundation’s supporters, bring hope and assistance to the veterinary community and animals in times of crisis. (Courtesy of MHS)

Practice owners, veterinary professionals, or veterinary responders can now request up to $3,000 to cover basics, such as temporary housing, food, clothing, or medical care, following a disaster. AVMA members can also claim as much as $7,500 to offset emergency veterinary medical care and boarding for animals affected by a disaster. The award amount limits were previously $2,000 and $5,000, respectively.

The AVMF credits this expansion to donors who believe the profession rises and falls as one. As Dr. Gary Vroegindewey said, “It’s the power of the profession, all together.”

He received a disaster relief grant from the AVMF after Hurricane Ian in September 2022 destroyed his home along Florida’s west coast.

In the event of major disasters, the Foundation provides larger grants, including the following between 2023 and 2024:

  • $50,000 to Maui, Hawaii, after the wildfires
  • $50,000 to Turkey’s veterinary association following the earthquakes
  • $10,000 to Guam in the wake of Typhoon Mawar
  • $720,000 to aid Ukraine
  • $25,000 to the North Carolina VMA along with $20,000 to Lincoln Memorial University and Greater Good Charities (GGC) after Hurricane Milton
  • $10,000 to Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ Vet Emergency Team in the aftermath of the Texas wildfires

In 2025, the Foundation donated $65,000 for recovery efforts related to the California wildfires: $10,000 to the Community Animal Medical Project, $25,000 to GGC, and $30,000 to the Southern California VMA.

A version of this story appears in the August 2025 print issue of JAVMA

Visit the American Veterinary Medical Foundation website to donate toward or apply for Disaster Relief and Reimbursement Grants for veterinarians affected by disasters or those who are providing care to animals affected by disasters. The Foundation’s website also features videos and stories from AVMA members and others who have received disaster grants.

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