(January 26, 2012   Stillwater, OK) – Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of several founding members of the Oklahoma Livestock Relief Coalition.  The formation of the OLRC was formally announced by Gov. Mary Fallin earlier this week.

The OLRC mission is to provide financial resources to local law enforcement agencies that have seized abused and neglected livestock and assure humane care of the animals.

“As veterinarians, we take an oath to prevent and relieve animal suffering,” explains Jean Sander, DVM and Dean of OSU’s veterinary center.  “By supporting the OLRC and encouraging people to donate, we are helping ensure that abandoned animals are properly cared for.  Oklahoma’s drought has taken its toll on farmers and ranchers and it is important for Oklahomans to pull together, as is their nature, to support the OLRC and ultimately the animals.”

All funds donated will stay in Oklahoma to help livestock in need providing feed and emergency care for animals seized by law enforcement agencies.  To donate visit, http://okvma.affiniscape.com/index2.cfm or mail a check payable to the Oklahoma Livestock Relief Coalition to the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Foundation, PO Box 14521, Oklahoma City, OK  73113.

Charter members of the Oklahoma Livestock Relief Coalition include:

• Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association
• Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
• Oklahoma Farm Bureau
• Oklahoma Human Federation
• Oklahoma Livestock Marketing Association
• Oklahoma State University, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
• Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
• Oklahoma Veterinary Technician Association
• Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association
• Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Foundation
• Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
• American Farmers and Ranchers
• Murray State College, Veterinary Technology
• Poultry Federation of Oklahoma
• Oklahoma Pork Council

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is the only veterinary college in Oklahoma and one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  The center’s Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals.  It also offers 24-hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association.  For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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