AVMA, AVMF, Red Cross Agree to Help Animals
27 March 2009
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- A collaboration of three well known major groups have banned together to assist animals that are abandoned or lost during a natural disaster.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) have signed a partnership agreement with the American Red Cross to help assist animals during emergencies.
The three groups have been working together since 1998, however, last month they made if official by signing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), a charitable branch of the AVMA, will fund this effort by preparing disaster response and emergency preparedness training through its charitable contributions.
"This partnership with the Red Cross will help American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) bring substantive help to pets and animals not only on the national level but at the local level. It gives us a hands-on network of people who will work around our goal of helping pets in times of a disaster," explains Michael Cathey, head of the AVMF. "This is an exciting new chapter in the AVMF's outreach efforts."
During a natural disaster or forest fire, an estimated 100,000 animals and livestock are displaced from their owners. Oftentimes, pet owners who have no emergency plan in place are forced to leave their pets behind. Some are even forced to live in their cars because they cannot find homes for their pets.
"The American Red Cross is proud to continue our partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Association," explains Mary DeWitt-Dia, senior associate at the Red Cross. "Through our continued collaboration and coordination we will be able to help our communities better prepare for and respond to the needs of families and animals before, during and after disaster."
Currently, the Chicago chapter of the Red Cross and the AVMA are working together to reverse the Red Cross policies which provide temporary housing for the victims of fires, but do not accommodate pets. This group believes that once the program in Chicago is implemented, that other chapters across the country will follow suit.
For the lucky few animals that make it to shelters after a natural disaster, they are still not out of the woods. Some arrive dehydrated, hungry, injured or sick. Many animals resort to drinking contaminated water in order to survive, leading to a host of other complications.
Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, some pet owners never recovery their animals. This partnership will help minimise displaced animals by providing them an opportunity to remain with their families.
| 
