VCA, Banfield, others step in to relieve burdens of fires

Los Angeles-In response to the deadly infernos that enveloped southern California in late October, VCA Animal Hospitals offered free boarding for companion animals of evacuated or displaced fire victims.

"As thousands of families are being evacuated to shelters or facing the loss of their homes, VCA hopes to ease their burden by offering free and safe boarding for pets," says Rick Watson, DVM, Group Vice President – Western Region, for VCA Animal Hospitals.

As a result of the fires, the hospital conglomerate, based in Los Angeles, has already cared for dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, an ostrich and a peacock.

Boarding assistance for pets was based on space availability at individual VCA Animal Hospitals throughout Southern California.

Banfield docs pitch in

At least four doctors and six technicians from Banfield hospitals in southern California pitched in to the rescue efforts in San Diego.

When families were evacuated to QualComm Stadium in San Diego, they brought more than 1,000 cats and nearly 200 dogs, many in need of veterinary care. So veterinarians on-site at the stadium, led by San Diego-based Dr. Brett Freitag, set up a section of the stadium as an area to treat about 100 pets during the one day QualComm was open, before it was evacuated the following day.

The doctors reported they were "very lucky" that of the 100 pets they treated, there weren't any serious injuries, mostly smoke inhalation.

Other relief efforts

Lorri Greene Ph.D., known in San Diego for her pet bereavement and counseling services, offered to provide "critical incident stress debriefings" for anyone in the veterinary community who feels that they might need it. Contact Greene at (619) 275-0728, via e-mail at LGreene98@aol.com or visit her Web site at www.petbereavement.com.

ACell Vet is offering complementary product for treatment of animal victims of the wildfire. The regenerative medicinal treatment is comprised of a naturally occurring collagen scaffold to support the remodeling of damaged tissue. It is designed for treatment of burns, full and partial thickness wounds as well as use in surgical applications. To obtain the material, contact Mike Manning of ACell Vet at (800) 826-2926, ext. 204.

In late October, the Escondido Humane Society started a fund to help wildfire-affected individuals pay their veterinary bills up to $500 on a case-by-case basis. For information on the October Fire Animal Care Fund or to contribute, call (760) 888-2200.