Raleigh, N.C., Jan. 18, 2016 – The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) and the Friends of NCVMA Foundation awarded a total of $79,217 to animal health and welfare-related organizations and individuals across the state in 2015, continuing its mission to promote compassionate animal care and responsible pet ownership. This included grants to NCVMA districts, animal shelters and rescue organizations, and various animal advocacy groups, along with scholarships to veterinary medicine students.

NCVMA awarded $23,294 to animal shelters and rescues across the state for improvements to meet inspection standards by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, or to provide better conditions for shelter animals. Grant recipients included:

− Anson County Animal Shelter, Polkton

− Burlington Animal Services, Burlington

− Pender County Animal Shelter, Burgaw

− SAFE Haven for Cats, Raleigh

− Second Chance Pet Adoptions, Raleigh

− Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department, Boiling Spring Lakes

− Rutherford County Animal Shelter, Rutherfordton

− Foothills Humane Society, Columbus

− Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protection Services, Supply

− Humane Society of Concord & Greater Cabarrus County, Concord

Each year, NCVMA also awards five $5,000 grants through its High Five Grant Program. The program was established to assist qualified organizations that promote community service as well as compassion and health for the people and animals of North Carolina. Organizations that received the 2015 High Five Grant include:

− Pamlico Animal Welfare Society, Oriental

− Friends of Madison County Animals, Marshall

− Coalition to Unchain Dogs, Durham

− Conservators Center, Burlington

− Friends of the Stokes Shelter, Inc., Germanton

NCVMA awarded $3,759 in grants to various animal welfare groups – $11,300 through its Helping Hands Fund, and $1,064 in scholarships throughout 2015. This comes in addition to two scholarships already endowed to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Friends of NCVMA Foundation gave $8,250 to organizations within its 11 districts throughout North Carolina, choosing recipients actively engaged in animal welfare and rescue endeavors. The organizations recognized included:

− District 1 – PAWS of Carteret County, Morehead City

− District 2 – Odin’s Orphans Rescue, Spring Hope

− District 3 – Johnston County Animal Protection League, Smithfield

− District 4 – Best Friend Pet Adoption, Cary

− District 5 – Project Pearl, Winston-Salem

− District 6 – Paws 4ever, Mebane

− District 7 – Adopt an Angel, Wilmington

− District 8 – Harnett County Animal Services, Lillington

− District 9 – Family Addition Dog Rescue, Huntersville

− District 10 – Catawba County Humane Society, Hickory

− District 11 – Project Leroy, McDowell County

Friends of NCVMA Foundation also awarded $2,500 to animal welfare and rescue groups and $3,250 in scholarships last year.

QUOTES:

“The Friends of NCVMA Foundation is proud to continue our support of organizations throughout North Carolina that advocate for responsible pet care and ownership,” said Claire Holley, executive director of the NCVMA. “This is part of NCVMA’s overall commitment to improving animal health and welfare statewide, and each of these organizations is incredibly effective in achieving this goal. 2015 was a wonderful year for us and our partner organizations, and we look forward to continuing our charitable efforts into 2016 and beyond.”

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ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) is a professional organization of veterinarians dedicated to compassionate animal care and quality medicine. The NCVMA promotes integrity and excellence in veterinary medicine, provides the highest quality continuing education programs and conferences, supports its members through public relations and marketing efforts to the public and governing officials, lobbies on behalf of the interests of the entire profession, and serves as an advocate and voice for veterinary medicine in the state. As recognized experts in veterinary medicine, NCVMA members are frequently asked to contribute their opinions and lend their expertise to media outlets throughout North Carolina and around the country, including The News & Observer, Charlotte Today, Wilmington Star-News, Fayetteville Observer, Greensboro News & Record, USA Today, Yahoo!, ABC News and Time Warner Cable News. For more information, visit http://ncvma.org/, or call (800) 446-2862 or (919) 851-5850.

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