Donating Pet Oxygen Masks to Local Fire Departments

Clinics Encouraged to Consider Donating Pet Oxygen Masks to Local Fire Departments

Here’s a great idea and a great lifesaver, and the MVMA has developed a step-by-step guide to make it easy for your clinic to donate these oxygen mask kits to your local fire departments. The Pet Oxygen Mask Project, an initiative of the MVMA Animal Welfare Committee in cooperation with the MVMA Emergency Management and Public Health Dr. Michael Opsomer, Springfield, Mo. sent in this photo of the oxygen masks in use by firefighters. Committee and the MVMA Missouri Volunteer Veterinary Corps, is working towards equipping Missouri fire trucks with pet oxygen masks. To start off the initiative, the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association presented the Boone County Fire District with 10 Pet Oxygen Masks on Monday, August 10th. The presentation was held at the Boone County Fire Protection District Headquarters in Columbia, MO. Two local television stations covered the event. The pet oxygen masks are specifically designed for animals and each kit comes with three different size masks that can be used on any size dog or cat, as well as ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, and more. The cost per kit is $90.00. One kit per truck. Equipping fire trucks with Kits include three sizes of masks and cost $85/kit. pet oxygen masks will give firefighters the proper equipment they would need when trying to revive a pet that has suffered from smoke inhalation. For added public relations benefit, arrange a time with your local news outlet to make a presentation. These kits have saved many lives when they were available. These oxygen masks were underwritten by the MVMA as a pilot project to develop a model for local veterinary clinics to replicate this project in communities throughout Missouri.

For a step-by-step guide to get your clinic involved in this great project, go to www.movma.org and click on “Resources” on the main page.

AVMA Convention 2020 Cancelled Due to COVID-19 Concerns W ith the unprecedented, rapidlychanging times related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has been closely monitoring the situation and following the guidance ofthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) and local government officials, especially as it relates to AVMA Convention 2020. The AVMA’s top priority is the health, safety and well-being of the veterinary community and AVMA Convention attendees, vendors, speakers and exhibitors. After much discussion and careful deliberation, the AVMA has made the difficult decision to cancel its annual Convention 2020 (July 31-August 4) in San Diego, as well as the Cannabis Symposium and other meetings related to the convention. With so much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a sciencebased, one health organization, the AVMA determined there was no way to ensure the health and safety of convention attendees by the end ofJuly. All registrations and hotel reservations made in the official AVMA block will be cancelled on registrants’ behalf. All registration fees will be fully refunded and, if applicable, registrants will have their hotel deposits refunded within 90 days. The current situation has caused a significant backlog and the AVMA will be processing individual refunds as quickly as possible. For airline bookings, registrants should follow up with their travel agents or air carriers directly. Those who booked hotels outside the AVMA block will need to follow up with the hotel directly. Today, as always, the AVMA is committed to providing high-quality education and professional development. The AVMA is currently exploring the potential for virtual conference options as an alternative meeting. More details will be shared in the coming weeks. Ifattendees have any questions related to the convention, you can reach out to the AVMA by email convention@avma.org or phone 800-248-2862.

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Products and services may not be available in all states. Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply. Life insurance and annuity products may be underwritten by American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas. Property and casualty products and services may be underwritten by American National Property And Casualty Company or American National General Insurance Company, both of Springfield, Missouri. 20-041-07-322903.V2.03.20