Teams Deployed To Care For Animals At Disaster Sites
Release Date: September 13, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-102
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Washington, DC -- Pet lovers will be heartened to know that our four-footed friends have not been forgotten in dealing with the devastating destruction that took place in New York City and the Pentagon on Sept. 11. Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMATs) have been called into action to help in rescue efforts at both sites.
FEMA requested the assistance of veterinarians on these teams to support and rescue pets, and provide any needed veterinary medical care for rescue dogs.
VMATS are part of the National Disaster Medical System, which is part of the U.S. Public Health Service. VMATS are staffed with vets, vet technicians and other personnel who deal with animal issues in a disaster area.
Because of security concerns, no outside help is being requested, but updates on the VMAT activity can be found on the Web at www.avma.org/vmat/terrorist_attack.asp.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2003 15:46:59