Mission assignments were falling into place last night when the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sent its seventh disaster update in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As of 11:30 pm CDT yesterday (Sept. 1), here were the locations and assignments of the Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) in Mississippi and Louisiana, which were deployed earlier in the week:

• VMAT-1 arrived in Baton Rouge, La. at 10:30 pm on Sept. 1. Its mission includes three goals:
  
  
  
  •  To assist the state veterinarian with agricultural and veterinary facility assessments
    
  •  To assess issues at the zoo; and
    
  • To assist (with veterinary care at) animal drop-off locations once established.
  
  
• VMAT-2 will likely be stationed in Biloxi, Miss.
  
• VMAT-3 had arrived in Jackson, Miss., with a state mission assignment to do initial assessments in Mississippi.
  
• VMAT-5 had moved into Baton Rouge yesterday (Sept. 1) and was to begin assessments first thing this morning with VMAT-1.

The update said, “Under the direction of the state veterinarian, the VMATs will begin with overall assessments of veterinary facilities, animal issues, and public health issues starting on 9/2/05.”

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is looking for volunteer veterinarians to assist in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts and assistance in future natural and animal disease emergencies. If you are a veterinarian and are interested in volunteering, send an e-mail to EmergencyVMO@aphis.usda.gov, with the subject line “New NAHERC Volunteer,” for more information on how you can get involved.

Reports from the Field
In Alabama, the AVMA reports that veterinary facility damage has been minor. “One area of need in the state is the number of refugees (and their pets) from Mississippi and Louisiana that are in need of care and services.” The Alabama Veterinary Medical Association is looking at long-term care for the pets and the people. Assistance in the form of financial contributions to the Alabama Veterinary Medical Foundation (P.O. Box 3514, Montgomery, AL 36109) marked for “disaster relief” can be used to help offset some of the cost of care and housing costs for these pets