AVMF grant helps CAMP deliver emergency veterinary care to pets affected by Los Angeles wildfires
When catastrophic wildfires erupted across Los Angeles County in early January 2025, countless families were displaced overnight—many with beloved pets in tow. In the face of this disaster, the Community Animal Medical Project (CAMP) acted quickly, mobilizing its network of mobile and stationary clinics to provide free emergency and routine veterinary care to pet families affected by the fires.
Shortly after the wildfires broke out, CAMP reached out to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to request support. Within days, AVMF responded with a $10,000 disaster relief grant, enabling CAMP to deliver vital veterinary services in some of the hardest-hit communities.
“We knew immediately that the impact of these fires would be long-lasting,” said a CAMP spokesperson. “Many families lost homes, jobs, and stability overnight—and the ability to care for their pets was in jeopardy. Thanks to AVMF’s support, we’ve been able to step in and ensure pets get the care they need while their families recover.”
What the AVMF grant made possible
AVMF’s funding helped CAMP launch a multi-pronged emergency response effort, including:
Urgent medical care: Treatment for burns, wounds, respiratory distress, and fire-related trauma
Preventive services: Vaccinations, parasite prevention, and medication refills for displaced pets
Pet supplies: Distribution of food, leashes, collars, crates, and comfort items such as blankets and bedding
Mobile clinics: Deployment of mobile veterinary units to reach fire-affected neighborhoods
Staff support: Covering overtime hours and operational costs to sustain the rapid scale-up in services
To date, the AVMF grant has helped CAMP assist at least 150 pets directly affected by the fires, with more families coming forward each week. “We’ve held dozens of wellness and vaccine clinics—some dedicated entirely to fire victims, others serving a mix of the general public and affected families. In those cases, we waive fees for fire victims based on zip code verification,” CAMP staff explained.
Reaching the community where they are
CAMP’s approach is rooted in accessibility. Many of the communities affected by the fires were already facing barriers to veterinary care. By offering no-cost, high-quality treatment directly in their neighborhoods, CAMP has been able to fill a critical gap at a time of immense need.
Importantly, the demand for services hasn’t slowed. “Many families have been living in crisis mode, unable to prioritize their pets’ health until now,” CAMP noted. “We’re seeing a wave of people finally able to focus on vet care, and their gratitude is profound.”
A lifeline in crisis
The AVMF grant has helped CAMP not only meet immediate needs but also build the capacity for ongoing care in the weeks and months following the disaster. While no end date has been set for the relief efforts, CAMP is committed to serving fire-affected pet families as long as funding allows.
“Our goal is simple,” said CAMP. “We don’t want any family to have to choose between recovery and their pet’s wellbeing. AVMF’s support is helping make that possible.”
You can make a difference. To help animals and pet families affected by disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires, please consider donating to the AVMF Disaster Relief Program. Your gift helps provide lifesaving veterinary care when it’s needed most.