Individuals impacted by the floods in eastern Kentucky this past week have companion animals, horses, cattle and other income-producing livestock. The floods have destroyed fencing that enclosed the livestock that many of the families rely on for their livelihoods.
There are also still pets and livestock that are loose in the affected areas. Many of the companion animals have never received veterinary care or vaccinations against zoonotic diseases that can impact humans such as rabies and leptospirosis. The UofL Comparative Medicine Research Unit (CMRU) is coordinating relief efforts with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) targeting family needs for their animals.
The CMRU team will be making several trips over the upcoming weeks to deliver needed items to the affected areas in addition to sending licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians to provide care for the animals and to assist in capture efforts for animals. If you wish to donate items, please contact Dr. Leslie Sherwood at leslie.sherwood@louisville.edu to arrange for delivery or pickup of items.
Items needed:
- Cat and dog food
- Collars and leashes for cats and dogs (various sizes)
- Cat carriers
- Cat and dog food and water bowls
- 5-gallon buckets from Lowe’s or Home Depot
- Feed/hay for horses, cattle, sheep, goats
- Temporary fencing/barb wire
- T-posts
- Bandage material such as vet wrap and gauze
- Topical antiseptic solutions such as povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine
- Triple antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin
If you wish to make a tax-deductible monetary donation that will go directly to the veterinary care of injured animals, send a check to:
KVMA Foundation
108 Consumer Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
