Florida Veterinarians: Become a USDA Accredited Veterinarian to Help Animal Shelters in an Emergency

Last year's Hurricane Ian revealed a glitch in our disaster response plans. Animal shelters couldn’t find enough USDA-accredited shelter veterinarians on short notice to issue hundreds of Official Certificates of Inspection (health certificates) required to fly shelter pets out of state to safety before the storm. 

As a result, an evacuation plane was forced to depart less than half full, leaving cats, dogs, and shelter staff to ride out the Category 4 hurricane in place.

As this year's hurricane season approaches, we’re preparing a list of accredited veterinarians who would like to help animal shelters if an emergency requires health certificates. Signing up doesn't obligate participation – but it will alert you to volunteer opportunities if emergencies threaten your area. The Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida maintains the volunteer list to protect your privacy.

Submit this form to sign up as a volunteer health certificate provider should an emergency threaten your area, even if your accreditation is not currently active.

  1. Is you USDA accreditation up to date? That's all you need to sign up.
  2. Is your USDA accreditation lapsed, never started, or you are not sure? Sign up and we'll help you get it back.
We are here for you! I recently reinstated my accreditation and it was remarkably easy - not complicated or time-consuming like I had feared. I procrastinated for nothing. I would be happy to be your guide if you have questions.

Best wishes and fingers crossed for a quiet 2023 hurricane season.

-Dr. Julie Levy, Shelter Medicine Program at UF

levyjk@ufl.edu

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Email *
First name *
Last name *
Would you like to join the list to be notified of volunteer opportunities to complete health certificates (OCVIs) for cats and dogs in animal shelters when an emergency threatens your area? *
Are your USDA and Florida accreditations current? *
If you are not sure about your accreditation status or need help, describe what you know about your current status, any steps you've completed so far, and your questions about next steps and we will be in touch to help.
If you are not currently accredited, what is the main barrier that is preventing it?  Would you like us to contact you to provide assistance?
Have you issued health certificates for cats and/or dogs before? Check all that apply.
 *
Required
Depending on the circumstances, the shelter or transporter may have its own health certificate book or online health certificate account. In other cases, the volunteering veterinarian may use their own certificate source. In any case, the health certificate fee will be paid by the shelter, not the volunteering veterinarian. Please indicate the health certificate format you are currently using.
 *
What kind of practice(s) are you in? Check all that apply. *
Required
Are you licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Florida? *
Preferred email address in emergencies *
Preferred phone number in emergencies *
Address (please enter unit, suite or apartment number in Address Line 2)
 *
Address Line 2
City
 *
State
 *
Zip
 *
Florida county of residence *
Name of main organization/employer *
Name of other current animal care organization(s) you are working or volunteering for (if any)
Veterinary school attended *
Veterinary school graduation year *
Would you like to sign up for the UF Shelter Medicine monthly newsletter? *
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Where to find help

  1. Never started accreditation, or have other questions? Contact the Florida National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) Coordinator Robert Chadwell Robert.S.Chadwell@usda.gov
  2. Have questions about the Florida state component of accreditation? Contact Dr. Nelly Amador-Jehn Nelly.Amador-Jehn@FDACS.gov
  3. Need to find out if you have a 6-digit National Accreditation Number or what it is if you forgot? Contact Robert.S.Chadwell@usda.gov
  4. USDA APHIS webpage: How do I check my accreditation status?
  5. USDA APHIS webpage: How do I become accredited?
  6. USDA APHIS webpage: How do I get my accreditation reinstated?
  7. Florida FDACS Accreditation webpage: Veterinarian Accreditation / Veterinarians / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)

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