BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

In late September, Hurricane Helene swept through the southeast triggering heavy flooding and landslides in western North Carolina. The catastrophe killed a hundred people and thousands of animals resulting in more than $53 billion in damages and recovery efforts. 

The landslides washed away entire mountainsides and towns wiping out power, internet and running water along the way. Many areas were inaccessible with no bridges or roads left requiring recovery teams to helicopter in and hike supplies on foot or by donkey.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared 39 counties in the state as federal disaster areas. These 39 counties house more than 40% of the state’s population. Within this disaster area, more than 300 veterinary clinics are affected with several listed as closed until further notice and many more other operating without water, electricity or internet. 

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), provides grants to help veterinarians help animal welfare through grants, disaster relief, education and research programs. To date, the AVMF has donated $20,000 to the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) and $10,000 each to Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee and Greater Good Charities. Additionally, the AVMF awarded nearly $7500 in disaster grants for animal medical care in disaster affected communities of North Carolina as well as $6800 in necessities for veterinary professionals. 

In addition to funds provided by the AVMF and FEMA, the NCVMA is also providing grant funding as well as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the AVMA. Individuals in the veterinary profession from across the country have also pooled together on social media to provide veterinary supplies and assistance to clinics in the disaster areas.