Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A $100,000 gift from the American Kennel Club is assisting Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine in developing a mobile response unit for use during disasters in which small animals are left injured or abandoned.
Representatives from the New York City-based not-for-profit organization came to the university campus Friday [Feb. 23] to make the announcement during a Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association board of directors meeting.
Provided by AKC's Companion Animal Recovery branch, the gift supports the purchase and equipping of a mobile clinic to enhance the college's ability to provide immediate care to injured, dehydrated or otherwise debilitated animals.
"We are dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners," said Jason A. Miller, AKC/CAR's assistant vice president. "Mobile response units allow veterinary professionals and volunteers to provide much-needed care as quickly as possible.
"I speak for our organization and supporters in saying how thrilled we are to provide MSU funding to accomplish this goal," he added.
Founded in 1884, the AKC maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. It includes nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and affiliated organizations. In addition to Companion Animal Recovery, the latter groups include the Canine Health Foundation and Museum of the Dog.
The new MSU mobile clinic includes a 32-foot trailer equipped with a full surgical suite, treatment room and small holding ward capable of housing up to 16 animals. It will have full digital radiographic and laboratory diagnostic capabilities, as well as an emergency triage service.
"While emergency response is the primary goal of the clinic, it also can be used in rural areas underserved by private veterinary hospitals," said college Dean Kent Hoblet. "This addition will help us increase adoption rates, improve the health of shelter animals and reduce the number of unwanted litters."
Hoblet emphasized, however, that additional long-term funding will be required to maintain staffing, supplies and expenses in the years ahead.
"The College of Veterinary Medicine will be actively seeking private gifts to further the work of the unit," said Keith Gaskin, development director for the college. "We believe a number of persons will be interested in assisting the mobile clinic since it will provide extensive surgical experience for CVM students while supplying communities with a needed service."
For more information on the unit, contact Gaskin at 662-325-3815 or kgaskin@foundation.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.