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VECCS Gives is the charitable arm of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS). It fulfills its mission with the help of your generous donations & sponsorships and the support of dedicated volunteers.

Our Mission

The VECCS Gives mission is to enhance the quality of life for animals in need and for working K9s.

Our Goals

Provide care for animals in need and and support for pet owners in at risk communities.

Improve the safety and welfare of working K9s through training and education.

Support animal care providers following a natural or man-made disaster.

VECCS Gives is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID 911043231) under Section 501(c)(3) of IRS code.

Animal Welfare

Working K9s

Disaster Relief

Grants

Your Generosity, Actualized

Your donation helps support VECCS Gives in fulfilling it’s mission of providing assistance and funding for projects that promote better care for animals in need.

Allocate Funds As You Desire

As you process your donation you will be given the following options:

  • General Donation: To be applied at the discretion of VECCS Gives. These donations go toward animal welfare, Working K9 support and other causes to which the committee sees fit.
  • The Dougie Fund (disaster relief): When disaster strikes, this fund provides supplies, funding and manpower to assist with relief efforts.
  • Scholarships: Supporting the future of ECC through scholarships for technician and veterinary students.
  • Grants: Money given to advance ECC Medicine.

Choose Donor Recognition

You can make a donation as an individual, as a practice or organization, or anonymously.

You may also make a donation in honor of a special patient or client (Pet Memorial / Client Memorial) or to express appreciation for an extraordinary veterinary team (Honor Veterinary Team). For $1000 or more, a commemorative plaque will be sent to the practice for display.

Your support is appreciated, as is your willingness to help make others in our profession aware of the good work VECCS Gives is doing.

How You Can Help

 

  • Donate
  • Memorial Donations
  • Volunteer
  • Renew VECCS Membership
  • Attend IVECCS
  • IVECCS 5k Participation
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Gift & Estate Planning

Animal Welfare

Each September VECCS Gives hosts a Project for Animal Welfare (PAW) in the city where IVECCS is held.  In partnership with a local non-profit, VECCS Gives provides free veterinary care to pets owned by at risk families in the community.

 

Past PAW Events

2021 Nashville, TN
Due to ongoing COVID concerns VECCS Gives did not host an animal welfare project in Nashville, however, our raffle was a huge success and we were able to donate $15,000 to SAFPAW.

SAFPAW provides pet food, supplies, and veterinary care free of charge to pet owners who are homeless or living at or below the poverty level.

2020 Virtual
Since IVECCS was virtual VECCS Gives did not host an animal welfare project.  We did run a successful fundraising campaign and were able to donate $5,000 to the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry of St. Louis, MO.

2019 Washington DC
VECCS Gives partnered with the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County to provide free veterinary care to 200 animals.  Prince George’s County functions out of a trailer in an underserved community with many low income pet owners.

In addition, VECCS Gives donated $7,720 to the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County.

2018 New Orleans, LA
VECCS Gives partnered with the Louisiana SPCA and performed 64 spays and neuters on shelter animals and a feral cat population.  Basic veterinary care was also provided and one of our volunteer criticalists helped trouble shoot complicated medical cases at the adoption center.  A $3000 donation was made to the Louisiana SPCA.

2017 Nashville, TN
In partnership with The Street Dog Coalition and SAFPAW of Nashville, volunteers provided free veterinary care to pets of the homeless on the streets of Nashville. Fifty animals (49 dogs and 1 cat) were cared for.  In addition, we donated $2,000 to SAFPAW.

2016 Dallas, TX
Over a dozen volunteers spent the entire day assisting Ranch Hand Rescue with much needed enclosure repairs, gate maintenance and various construction projects.  We also donated $7,000 to Ranch Hand Rescue.

Ranch Hand Rescue is an animal sanctuary and counseling center.  RHR rescues abused and neglected farm animals and, after rehabilitation, finds loving homes for them.  For those animals that cannot be adopted out, RHR provides a caring and safe sanctuary.  Under the guidance of a Licensed Professional Counselor, RHR utilizes Equine/Animal Assisted Counseling to provide hope and healing for children who have suffered severe trauma, have been the victim of abuse or domestic violence.

2015  Washington DC
VECCS Gives board member, Dr. Lorna Lanman, met with the Alexandria Welfare League to assess their current evacuation and disaster plan.  Dr. Lanman provided detailed advice how to improve their plan and their evacuation strategy.  She was pivotal in helping them draft a new plan that more appropriately manages pet and pet owner evacuation and animal housing and care.

2014  Indianapolis, IN
VECCS Gives raised $10,000 for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department K9s.  Since their K9s already have vests, the department will use the money for much needed supplies:

  • Oxygen masks and ambu bags for each K9 unit
  • Upgraded first aid kits
  • Training supplies
  • Furminators and Ray Allen Harnesses

Operational K9 Handlers & First Responders’
Emergency Care & CPR Seminar

San Antonio, TX | September 7, 2022 | 8am – 4pm

Each year VECCS Gives hosts a free First Responder Emergency Care & CPR Workshop for police officers, EMS, SARs groups, military and fire fighters. Our collaboration with these first responders has enhanced their ability to provide appropriate care for their working K9s as well as initial, pre-hospital first aid for injured animals in emergency situations. The workshop includes lecture and hands-on instructional training.

Workshop Description

This training includes classroom style education with accompanying hands-on instruction utilizing volunteer demonstration K9s and models. During demonstrations, attendees participate in, and experience real-life scenarios. This is a fast-paced course with much to cover. Lecture topics and hands-on instruction incorporate the following, ranging from basic to the more advanced practical scenarios:

  • Physical Exam/Normal vs abnormal
  • Major Trauma overview/Blast Injury
  • Disaster preparedness/Triage, Shock, Pain
  • Wound Care/Wound Packing
  • Immobilization/Bandaging
  • Principles of toxicology/Narcan use
  • CPR – RECOVER BLS & ALS scenario drills
  • Bloat/Heat Stroke
  • Tactical Emergency Casualty Assessment
  • Protective gear for the OpK9

Lead Instructor and Event Chair: Susan Barnes, DVM
This year’s Guest Speaker and Instructor:  Rita Hanel, DVM, DACVIM, DACVIM

Content and instructional support is provided in part by the National Association of Veterinary Emergency Medical Services, NAVEMS, as well as numerous veterinary emergency and critical care professionals.  Special thanks to our amazing volunteer instructors who arrive for IVECCS early donating their time and well-seasoned expertise to give back to those who give so much of themselves, saving lives every day.

Past Workshops
2021: Nashville, TN
2019: Washington D.C.
2018: New Orleans, LA
2017: Nashville, TN
2016: Grapevine, TX
2015: Washington D.C.
2014: Indianapolis, IN

Disaster Relief

When disaster strikes, relief funds and efforts are primarily focused on human needs. As a result, few resources exist for the innumerable animals that remain in desperate need of care.  The Dougie Fund, established in memory of our dear friend and board member, Dr. Douglas Macintire, is designed to provide support and assistance to veterinary emergency and critical care professionals struggling to meet the needs of animals impacted by disaster in their community.

To apply for assistance through The Dougie Fund, please contact: [email protected].

 

Douglas Macintire, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM, Diplomate ACVECC
Dougie was a gifted veterinarian.  She was passionate about teaching and was a mentor to many students, interns, residents and colleagues.  She was generous with her finances when others were in need and giving of her time no matter how much work needed to be done.  As a board member Dougie was eager to make a difference and always willing to pitch in and get her hands dirty.  Dougie’s strong spirit remains a part of our foundation and helps keeps us focused on our mission to enhance the quality of life for animals in need.

Disaster Relief Initiatives

2022: $10,000 to aid animals in the Ukraine, providing care, shelter, drugs and more

2022: $20,000 to Sea Turtle, Inc. for generators to provide safety during a South Texas freeze

2022: $15,000 to Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association for disaster relief amidst severe tornado damage

2020: $5,405 to Zoos Victoria for relief during the Australia Fires

2018: $9,000 to North Valley Animal Disaster Group for relief during the California Fires

2017: $8,000 to Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation for disaster relief after Hurricane Harvey

Grants

Research Grants
The VECCS Gives Committee will choose one or more applicants per year to financially support ECC research efforts.

Credential Grants
Each year, two recently credentialed DACVECC Veterinarian and two recently credentialed VTS-ECC Technician applicants will each receive $10,000 grants.

Facility Certification Grants
More information coming soon.

Community Care Grants
More information coming soon.

STAFFING

  • The level I facility must have a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care available 24 hours a day.
  • A documented relationship with a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
  • Must have at least two certified technicians (CVT) employed full time with one of the technicians a certified Veterinary Technician Specialist (Emergency and Critical Care).

SITE CAPABILITIES

  • Have the resources to evaluate and stabilize any small mammal, avian, and reptile (exotic) “pets”.
  • The capability of providing advanced life support with mechanical ventilation and direct blood pressure monitoring
  • The capacity to perform endoscopy and bronchoscopy.
  • Proficiency in abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography.
  • The skills required to provide total parental nutrition.

Level II

A level II emergency and critical care facility has the medical staff, support personnel, specialized equipment, and staff training necessary to provide high-quality emergent and critical patient care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Level II facilities differ from Level III facilities in that they continuously operate 7 days a week and have specialized facilities and equipment essential to provide high-quality critical patient care. They must have readily accessible consultation with a board-certified imaging specialist.

To be certified as Level II, the facility must comply with all Level II requirements listed in the VECCS Facilities Certification Guidelines.

Level III

A level III emergency and critical care facility is an acute care facility with medical staff, support personnel, specialized equipment, and staff training necessary to provide high-quality emergency and critical patient care. A Level III facility is open to receive emergency patients on nights, weekends, and holidays 365 days a year.

To be certified as Level III, the facility must comply with all Level III requirements listed in the VECCS Facilities Certification Guidelines.

Apply for Certification

The certification process is entirely electronic and does not involve site visits. This trust-based approach is designed to reduce the costs of the certification program and requires each hospital to provide written, pictorial, and video documentation of its facilities, staffing, and equipment. All application materials are submitted electronically.

STEP 1: Download Application Guidelines

Please download and review the following documents:

  1. Facility Certification Guidelines
  2. Facility Application Checklists
  3. Facility Application CE log Best Practices

STEP 2: Account Setup

Create your account in our application system. **Please do not utilize social media to create your account**

Account Setup Instructions:

  1. Create an Account
  2. Select ‘Start Entry’
  3. Select a Facility Certification category
  4. Select application type: ‘New Application’ or ‘Recertification Application’.
  5. Name your entry with your practice name or acronym then Cert or Recert-year. (Example: AMCS Cert-2021)

STEP 3: Submit Application

The certification will last for a period of two years. A renewal application is then required, which may involve a change or update of the level of certification and confirmation of accordance with standards. You have 30 days from the date of your facility certification renewal date to submit re-certification forms. If the re-certification forms are not submitted, your VECCS Facility Certification status will be terminated.

The following are REQUIRED:

  1. Application for Facility Certification
  2. Application Checklist
  3. Facility Certification Checklist
  4. Reference Checklist
  1. Veterinarian Employee List & CE Log
  2. Technician Employee List & CE Log
  3. Required documents (See Application Checklist)
  4. Payment

**NOTE**

Clearly name the files, ie. Calibrated burettes, Crystalloids, etc.

Please attempt to make one continuous video. You will need to share your facility video by uploading it to YouTube or Vimeo first. If you need some help with uploading your video, you can see a quick explanation here: Vimeo or YouTube.

New Application Fee:

$500.00; includes a non-refundable application fee of $250.00 and an approval fee of $250.00.

Re-Certification Fee:

$400.00; includes a non-refundable application fee of $200.00 and an approval fee of $200.00.

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is