Veterinary Science: improving animal health and welfare for 250 years. Here’s to 250 more!
How many people are aware that veterinary science has existed for 250 years? Not enough, and that’s why the world’s veterinary profession is marking 2011, World Veterinary Year. What better way to acknowledge and celebrate men and women around the world, past and present, who are dedicated to improving animal health and welfare? As part of this effort, we’d like to thank the dedicated Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) veterinarians whose actions reflect the same spirit and commitment to animal science that began 250 years ago in the city of Lyon, France.
CAAT’s mission is to improve domestic animal health and welfare in communities that have little or no access to veterinary services. Our members and volunteers are from across Canada and participate in our Animal Health projects, at home and internationally. Our members’ dedication to improving animal health and welfare – both in their own practices and in their volunteer work with CAAT – is inspiring. Their willingness to give valuable time, expertise and compassion to the animals in our project communities makes our mission a reality.
Become a CAAT member and support the work we do in Canadian communities by donating here. To learn more about World Veterinary Year, check out www.vet2011.org.
WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO
The Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) is a group of veterinary technologists, veterinary assistants, veterinarians and concerned animal welfare members dedicated to providing veterinary medicine and humane education for needy animals worldwide. CAAT is a registered charity under the Canadian Income Tax Act.
Founded by Vancouver-registered Animal Health Technologist Donna Lasser in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, CAAT sent 82 Veterinarians and Technologists to Louisiana in September and October 2005. While in Louisiana, CAAT members aided in the rescue, medical and husbandry needs of thousands of animals displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Since 2005, CAAT has been continuously growing as an organization. There are members all across Canada with headquarters in Vancouver and in Ontario. Along with continuing to be available as a disaster response team worldwide, CAAT is also dedicated to providing Animal Wellness Clinics to communities with limited or no access to veterinary services for their animals. The teams provide spay/neuter, deworming and vaccination services to the animals in need.
CAAT is continuing to develop its volunteer base and organizational infrastructure necessary to be able to continue to respond to the veterinary needs of domestic animals in communities in need and to be able to continue to serve as a disaster response team.
Mandate
* To provide animal wellness clinics for domestic animals in rural / underserved areas.
* To provide education in the health needs, husbandry, care requirements and population control of domestic animals to handlers, keepers and owners.
* To ensure domestic animals are included in community disaster response / preparedness plans.
* To provide veterinary services to domestic animals following natural disasters.
