The Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities helped pay for a disaster rescue vehicle in partnership with the University of Florida Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service.
The Banfield Foundation is affiliated with Vancouver-based Banfield Pet Hospital.
The 44-foot mobile command and infrastructure support truck and trailer, funded by grants totaling $150,000, will help veterinary emergency responders deploy after a natural disaster and provide veterinary care in hard-hit areas across Florida and surrounding states, according to a news release. The truck will also serve as a communications hub to interact with local emergency operation centers, shelters and state agencies.
Since its inception in 2015, the Banfield Foundation has provided nearly $7 million in grants to help more than 2 million vulnerable pets across the country, including more than $1 million in disaster relief grants. This marks the third disaster response vehicle the foundation has funded through grants around the country.
