October 11, 2005 > Tri-City area veterinarians to the rescue

A grass-roots effort of local veterinarians has taken in 40 animals from both hurricanes Katrina and Rita for immediate medical care. Five Katrina dogs, 25 Rita cats, and 10 Rita dogs have been placed in the care of 13 veterinary hospitals in Fremont, Milpitas, Union City and Hayward.

The dogs and cats arrived via plane to San Francisco International airport under the auspices of the San Francisco Animal Care and Control and the Peninsula Humane Society and have been entrusted to the care of local veterinarians. NCM trucking of Oakland provided complimentary transportation of the Rita Rescues from SFO to veterinary hospitals.

The animals arrived with a myriad of ailments. Many of the cats have upper respiratory infections and some have ringworm. The dogs have a much larger array of conditions from heartworm and hookworm to parvo.

The goal of the veterinarians is to restore their health and alleviate some of the burden on local shelters who are receiving many of the hurricane victims. The veterinarians don't want local homeless animals to be adversely affected by the need for shelters to make room for the hurricane rescues.

The veterinary group was organized by Dr. Deborah Rue of Irvington Pet Hospital in Fremont. The participating hospitals are:

Ardenwood Pet Hospital, Fremont; Parktown Veterinary Clinic, Milpitas; All About Pets Animal Care, Union City; Robert J. Tisdale, D.V.M., Fremont; Central Veterinary Hospital, Fremont; Mission Valley Vet Clinic, Fremont; Irvington Pet Hospital, Fremont; VCA Mission San Jose Pet Hosp., Fremont; Alta Vista Veterinary Clinic, Hayward; Newark Pet Clinic, Fremont; Noble Veterinary Clinic, Hayward; Fremont Animal Hospital; Fremont Veterinary Internal Medicine Service; and Ohlone Veterinary Emergency Clinic, Fremont.

These hospitals may be in need of foster homes or permanent adoption homes for the hurricane rescues.