The State of Louisiana is immediately seeking veterinarians and veterinary technicians who would like to volunteer their time and skills during evacuations and sheltering following Tropical Storm Gustav.

The state anticipates a need for six veterinarians and twelve veterinary technicians, who would be deployed into areas to work in emergency shelters beginning Saturday, August 30. Shelters have been set up in Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana.

Volunteers will be required to be licensed to practice in the state of Louisiana through the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine. For veterinarians not currently licensed in the state of Louisiana temporary licensing information can be obtained at www.lsbvm.org. Once licensing has been obtained, volunteers should contact Dr. Martha Littlefield, Louisiana Assistant State Veterinarian, at (225) 935-2168 or via email at martha@ldaf.state.la.us to be tasked to the needed location.

Donations of supplies are not needed at this time. Monetary donations should be made to the Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr Veterinary Memorial Foundation. Further information is available at http://www.lvma.org/wjefoundation.html.

The possibility for reimbursement of some associated expenses may be available to veterinarians who volunteer to assist Louisiana in these efforts by contacting Monique Buonincontro, AVMF Grants Coordinator, at 800 248 2862 x 6691 or MBounincontro@avma.org.