LSU Shelter Medicine Program to receive $300,000 grant from The Humane Society of the United States on March 30 in New Orleans |
News |
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 04:18 PM |
The HSUS presented the check on March 30 as part of the 24th annual Animal Care Expo held in New Orleans, La. “The goals for our program have remained the same,” said Wendy Wolfson, DVM (LSU SVM 1986), assistant professor of shelter medicine. “We work every day to introduce veterinary students to the needs of homeless animals and the problems of pet overpopulation with an overall goal of having students who work or donate time in shelters after graduation. We also work to improve the quality of life for shelter animals, decrease euthanasia rates in shelters and have communities which support and think positively about their shelters. With this generous grant, we can hire another permanent faculty member for our program and maintain the standard of excellence in Louisiana shelters and increase our participation in needed programs throughout the state. I thank The HSUS for this opportunity and their continued support of our program.” Also receiving checks from The HSUS are the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine ($300,000), the Louisiana SPCA ($250,000), the Jefferson SPCA ($22,000) and Pen Pals, Inc., a non-profit that supports the animal shelter operated by the Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, Louisiana ($150,000). “We remain deeply committed to our Gulf Coast partners in the fight to combat pet overpopulation and homelessness and the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “The last decade has seen a dramatic transformation for the good in animal care and anti-cruelty laws and protections. We got there by working together, and we’ll continue this work by extending our efforts and building more partnerships in the years ahead.” “A priority for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association is to promote the veterinary profession’s involvement in improving the lives of shelter animals,” said Melissa Rubin, Vice President of animal care centers and veterinary services for The HSUS. “These grants help promote an awareness among veterinary students of the shelter environment and also foster the field of shelter medicine, which is so critical to ensuring that animals in shelters receive quality medical care.” The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated most effective by our peers. For 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. We are the nation’s largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 100,000 animals each year, and we prevent cruelty to millions more through our advocacy campaigns. Read more about our 60 years of transformational change for animals and people, and visit us online at humanesociety.org. The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association was formed as a home for veterinary professionals who want to join together to speak out for animals, engage in direct care programs for animals in need, and educate the public and others in the profession about animal welfare issues. The HSVMA is an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. # Mission: The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is a dynamic community dedicated to saving lives, finding cures, and changing lives through outstanding clinical and community service, groundbreaking research, and educational excellence. Media Contact: twitter.com/LSUVetMed |