Relief organizations responding to equine emergencies in the aftermath of a series of destructive storms this spring are eligible for funding from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation. In addition, the Foundation welcomes donations for its Equine Disaster Relief Fund to help accommodate the potential needs of equine and veterinary communities impacted by recent storms and natural disasters.
As part of its mission to improve the welfare of horses, the AAEP Foundation accepts year-round funding requests to assist organizations responding to disasters and emergencies affecting the equine community. Organizations working to help horses in areas devastated by recent severe weather or other natural disasters can apply for funding from the Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund at www.aaep.org/disaster_relieffund.htm.
After Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast in 2005, the AAEP Foundation formed an Emergency Relief Fund to aid horses in the event of a natural disaster. Since the fund was established, the AAEP Foundation has donated emergency funds to support the Mounted Division of the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Veterinary Medical Association’s Equine Committee Foundation, the Mississippi State Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Disaster Relief Fund, hay and feed programs in the gulf region, and support for emergency preparedness programs at the University of Florida and Texas A&M Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, among others.