AKC Grant for Support and Maintenance of AKC CAR LSU-SVM Veterinary Mobile Unit

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, AKC CAR donated $100,000 to the veterinary school toward the purchase of the AKC CAR LSU-SVM Veterinary Mobile Unit which consists of a truck and trailer. The trailer is equipped with facilities for medical and surgical procedures that can be deployed during natural disasters. Most recently the unit was utilized during hurricanes Gustav and Ike in September 2008 when it helped local veterinarians of Houma, LA care for the animals of their community after the storm. Working with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), the unit was taken to where it was most needed after the storm.

Recently, AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR) awarded a $22,940 Canine Support and Relief Fund grant to Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU-SVM) for the continued support, operation and maintenance of the AKC CAR LSU-SVM Veterinary Mobile Unit. AKC CAR’s recent grant will provide for an additional year of operation for the unit, which is used for teaching veterinary students and community service when not responding to disasters. Grant monies will be used to pay for gasoline for transportation to and from disaster locations, maintenance of the truck which tows the trailer, and to stock the trailer with medical and surgical supplies.

The mobile unit is used at six shelters in this area that have no veterinarian on staff to spay/neuter animals. Additionally, it provides veterinary students with a valuable teaching tool and public service to shelters in need of spay and neuter surgeries for adoptable pets.