Important 2010 program updates announced – rescues encourages to apply by Feb. 1

The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) is now accepting 2010 applications. Established in December 2008, the UHVRC provides qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities with complimentary equine vaccines for horses in their care. More than 2,500 horses across the nation received life-saving vaccines in the program’s inaugural year.

“It is wonderful to see larger organizations that haven’t forgotten the smaller efforts taking place throughout the country,” Michael Russell, D.V.M. and director of veterinary services for The Grace Foundation of Northern California, a 2009 UHVRC rescue facility, wrote in a thank-you letter to UHVRC founders.

2010 spring applications due Feb. 1 Equine rescue and retirement facilities wishing to apply for spring 2010 vaccinations should visit  www.UHVRC.org and submit an application by Feb. 1.

“The 2010 application deadlines are one month earlier than last year,” says Dana Kirkland, Industry Education and Development Coordinator for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). “Rescues have two opportunities to apply: Applications for spring vaccinations must be submitted by Feb. 1 and applications for fall vaccinations must be submitted by Aug. 1.”

Kirkland notes that all equine rescue and retirement facilities must submit a new application each year to be considered.

In addition to the changes in the application deadlines, beginning in 2010 all approved UHVRC vaccine orders will be shipped directly to the supporting AAEP-member veterinarian. Qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities will be notified in writing when vaccines have shipped so they can make the appropriate delivery/pick-up arrangements with their veterinarian.

How to apply To qualify, equine rescue and retirement facilities must work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to complete and submit an application, facilities checklist and vaccine request form. Rescue and retirement facilities must also follow the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities and have a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. To download an application and the AAEP Care Guidelines or to learn more about the UHVRC, visit www.UHVRC.org.

Vaccines available through the UHVRC include PreveNileR (West Nile virus vaccine), EquiRabR (rabies vaccine) and PrestigeR V (equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and tetanus). All approved vaccine orders will be shipped directly to the supporting AAEP-member veterinarian. The AAEP and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health highly recommend that all vaccinations be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

“Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and AAEP are very proud to support America’s equine rescue and retirement facilities,” says Cynthia Gutierrez, D.V.M., Senior Equine Technical Services Veterinarian for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. “The program received a tremendous response in 2009 and we hope to provide vaccines for even more unwanted horses in 2010.”

Want to Help? A portion of all Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health equine vaccine sales support the UHVRC. To learn more about Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s full line of innovative, high-quality equine health products, visit http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/3820030:5617316303:m:1:155496539:1A3249885F7 D91BF3B05CC3A740F81BC> www.intervetusa.com or contact your veterinarian.

# # #

For more information, contact Susan Conroy-Wright at (816) 410-5158 or Sally Baker at (859) 233-0147.