Banfield Foundation is answering the call for help from Miami based veterinary groups. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, veterinarians from Miami and Puerto Rico with help from the Banfield Foundation, organized bringing needed supplies to pets and people in distress. Banfield Foundation is supplying nearly $49,000 in critical aid consisting of antibiotics, flea and tick prevention, Rabies and Leptospirosis vaccines, heartworm and deworming medication among other needed items. Mosquito infestation and unsafe living conditions have made disease prevention a top priority in Puerto Rico to protect both pets and people.
“At the Banfield Foundation, we believe all pets deserve access to veterinary care no matter their circumstance. We are working closely with the Miami Veterinary Foundation to ensure that as many pets as possible have the opportunity to receive highly important medical care and vaccinations in order to reduce the risk of disease and other illnesses,” said Kim Van Syoc, Executive Director of the Banfield Foundation. “We applaud the great work of Miami-based veterinarians—Dr. Hector Roman and Dr. Pedro Armstrong—both native Puerto Ricans who have been critical in establishing a network of veterinarians who are quickly mobilizing to provide care to animals in the remote parts of the island.”
Thousands of units of veterinary supplies will being arriving on the island as early as Thursday, October 19. Triage clinics will be established in four key locations and residents of Puerto Rico are encouraged to bring their pets in for free assistance.
Dr. Irving Lerner, President of the Miami Veterinary Foundation stated, “Our colleagues at the Banfield Foundation have reacted quickly and generously. The next challenge at hand is setting up adequate facilities from which to administer the essential disaster assistance for pets. We are working to address the immediate issues and plan for long-term care.”
Dr. Claudia Valderrama, President of the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association and a Board Member of the Miami Veterinary Foundation was helpful in bringing together the parties, resulting in a very generous gift from the Banfield Foundation of thousands of units of needed veterinary medical supplies.
In December, 2017 The Doris Day Animal Foundation generously provided a $10,000 grant to continue our work in Puerto Rico into 2018. Many residents are still without homes, power and the basic necessities. We are so proud to partner with the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and are grateful to Ms. Day, her Board, and staff for their faith in the Miami Veterinary Foundation in providing funding to continue the work we began in partnership with the Banfield Foundation.