The Oregon Animal Health Foundation (OAHF) is a non-profit charitable organization that exists to foster and promote animal welfare and the human-animal bond.
Established in 1983 under the auspices of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, the OAHF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is supported by private gifts from the general public and by donations from veterinarians in the form of memorial contributions. This generosity supports the OAHF’s vital mission to improve and enhance the health and well-being of animals.
Why Give to the OAHF?
The OAHF has helped support many programs and projects since its inception. Following are some of the OAHF’s contributions to the advancement of the human-animal bond and animal welfare.
Human-Animal Bond
- Sponsor of the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame™, a program to honor animals who, through unselfish and courageous accomplishments, exemplify the affection, loyalty, security, public service, and value of the human-animal bond. Worthy animals are honored at a ceremony held during the Oregon Veterinary Conference.
- Sponsor of education sessions at the Oregon Veterinary Conference and other venues for veterinarians and staff on topics such as coping with the death of a pet and assisting clients during this difficult time.
- Ongoing sponsor of Pet Day, an annual event held in May at the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine (Corvallis) to honor and celebrate National Pet Week.
- Cosponsored the Delta Society’s “People, Pet, Partnership” workshop, which certifies dogs as being qualified to visit nursing homes and retirement facilities, etc.
Animal Welfare
- Sponsor of education sessions at the Oregon Veterinary Conference and other venues for veterinarians and staff on animal welfare and ethics issues, including the link between animal abuse and human violence, as well as recognizing and reporting animal abuse.
- Sponsored publication of an educational booklet for OVMA member veterinarians on recognizing, documenting and reporting animal abuse.
- Sponsor of the OVMA's Animal Welfare Forums, which provide an opportunity for members of the veterinary, humane/shelter, and animal control communities to meet and discuss animal welfare issues, including spay and neuter programs, shelter medicine, and animal abuse.
- Provided a grant to purchase billboard space statewide for an educational campaign on the spaying and neutering of companion animals.
- Contributed to the development and distribution of a media kit that promoted spaying and neutering as beneficial to animal health, a possible solution for pet overpopulation, and major surgery that requires extensive veterinary education and training.
- Produced an educational and instructional videotape on the importance and value of tattoo identification for pets.
- Sponsored a dog bite prevention education program.
Disaster Relief
In response to the tragic effects of Hurricane Katrina, the OAHF established a disaster relief fund to support animal care and rescue efforts and to help restore veterinary services in the impacted areas. Through this fund, nearly $30,000 in contributions were distributed to veterinary-related organizations in the region. Thank you to members of the veterinary practice and client communities for their generous donations.
How You Can Help
The OAHF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization; donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law. Such gifts include:
- Memorial Gifts: A gift in the memory of a cherished companion. Contact us for more information on our memorial card program for veterinary practices.
- Bequests: A gift to the OAHF by naming it in wills, insurance policies and trusts. The Community Fund administers the OAHF’s Planned Giving program. For more information, please call Valerie Runquist at (503) 552-3510 or Wendy Usher at (503) 944-2120.
- Corporate Donations: A tax-deductible contribution to the OAHF to recognize individuals, or for specific, designated causes.
For additional information about this non-profit, charitable organization, please contact:
Oregon Animal Health Foundation
1880 Lancaster Dr. NE, Suite 118
Salem, Oregon 97305
(800) 235-3502 or (503) 399-0311
E-mail: oahf@oregonvma.org