Campaign offers free vaccinations for qualified equine rescue organizations

Equine rescue and retirement facilities are invited to apply for free vaccines through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC), a program sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Merck Animal Health. The deadline for applications for spring vaccines is Feb. 1.

The campaign, which was established in 2008, provides free equine vaccines to rescue and retirement facilities in the United States. To date, more than 15,000 horses have been vaccinated through the program.

Qualifying facilities are provided with vaccines to protect against eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), rabies and tetanus, as well as equine influenza and equine herpesvirus. To qualify for donated vaccines, facilities must have 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status and abide by the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities. Rescue and retirement facilities are required to work with an AAEP-member veterinarian when applying for vaccinations.

For more information, or to download an application, visit /redirect.php?location=www.uhvrc.org. For questions regarding the application process, contact Dana Kirkland in the AAEP office at (800) 443-0177 or dkirkland@aaep.org.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com.