Providing you with Resources in Emergencies

In times of need, we strive to help those who have given so much of what they have to help animals in need. We have regularly available resources to send clients, including a checklist when preparing your practice for a storm and an aid listing to help professionals whose time is spent caring for others.

Apply now for Hurricane relief. The Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) Foundation’s Hurricane Relief & Recovery Fund is currently able to provide financial assistance to licensed veterinarians facing unreimbursed losses at their clinical facilities due to the storm. Veterinarians who assist in rescue, relief, and recovery efforts or provide emergency boarding to animals may also be eligible to receive funding.

Apply for Aid

If you are looking for ways to contribute, consider donating to the FVMA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief & Recovery Fund.

Your generous donation will go a long way in supporting veterinary professionals and animals affected by the storm. The fund’s contributions will help facilitate relief and recovery initiatives across Florida. Your support can make a significant difference during this challenging time.

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FVMA Hurricane Preparedness Kit

FVMA's Hurricane Supply Checklist

S.A.R.T. Florida Disaster Preparedness Guide

AVMA Disaster Preparedness Guide

FVMA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund

When tragedy strikes, the FVMA Foundation is proud to work on the front lines and behind the scenes to help veterinary professionals get back on their feet. A major contributor to helping restore practices and rescue animals during natural events like hurricanes, the FVMA Foundation strives to maintain the veterinary medical profession during tough times.

Donations to the FVMA Foundation help us fund our rescue and rebuilding initiatives, and go directly to veterinary professionals when they need it most.

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Florida Veterinary Corps

Safeguarding Animal and Public Health in Florida

Florida veterinarians and animal health technicians have volunteered to assist animal owners and local officials in responding to animal emergencies. The Florida Veterinary Corps is recruiting more volunteers to help protect our state.

The FVMA is assisting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in maintaining the roster of volunteers and serves as the point of contact for calling volunteers after a disaster. You can agree to be listed as a Florida Veterinary Corps volunteer, a helper in times of need for your fellow veterinary professionals. Read the following information to submit your application for the Florida Veterinary Corps.

Become a Volunteer

Why a Florida Veterinary Corps?

The Florida Veterinary Corps (The Corps) has been established to enlist veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are willing to volunteer their services in responding to animal emergencies in the state of Florida.
During activation, Corps volunteers will work within an incident command structure under state Emergency Support Function 17 as part of the State Emergency Response Team.
The Corps will be a component of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, under its Florida State Agricultural Response Team, in cooperation with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Corps volunteers will be kept informed as to the status of emergencies and the need for volunteers depending upon the specific emergency.
Volunteers may serve in veterinary infrastructure assessment teams, triage or emergency animal treatment teams, and animal disease surveillance or control teams under an incident command system.

Rationale

Protecting agriculture in Florida begins locally and requires cooperation, participation, and partnership.
Federal or other outside assistance to deal with an animal disease emergency may not be available for hours or days.
Animal agriculture in Florida is highly vulnerable to severe disruption and financial loss through natural disasters and exotic or zoonotic diseases.
Counties and state agencies must be prepared to respond to animal disasters through planning and identification of human and material resources.
Natural disasters are unpredictable and cannot be prevented.
Florida has a high risk for introduction of a foreign animal disease.

Obligation of Corps Volunteers

Corps volunteers will serve only when activated and under the Incident Command System, under state Emergency Support Function 17 as part of the State Emergency Response Team, and adhere to all state regulations and rules.
Corp volunteers must complete the following four (4) Incident Command System trainings to be eligible to apply for The Corps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides the courses online, free of charge. It is estimated to take 12.5 hours total to complete all four courses. The following four FEMA ICS courses are critical to train Corps volunteers and personnel capable of responding as part of the state Emergency Support Function 17 and State Emergency Response Team.

Click here to visit the FEMA Emergency Management Institute website to take the following required ICS training before submitting your volunteer application for the Florida Veterinary Corps.

Communications will need to be maintained by Corps volunteers to stay informed as to emergency status and volunteer needs.
Volunteers will only be activated in response to specific emergency situations. Volunteers called upon may decline service at any time.

Click here to read the Request to Florida Veterinarians, by Dr. Mike Short, State Veterinarian/Director.