Where does the money go?

Gifts to the Companion Animal Fund support quality animal health care. CAF gifts are used to:

• Improve patient facilities in the ISU Veterinary Medical Center
• Purchase equipment for diagnosis and treatment of companion animals and horses referred to the hospital by private practitioners
• Enhance the efforts of the ISU’s veterinary specialists who are constantly seeking better solutions to treat and prevent the diseases and ailments afflicting companion animals

Nearly every area of the Veterinary Medical Center has been improved as a result of the Companion Animal Fund. At a glance, patients and their caregivers will see:

• Cats only ward – CAF funds paid for remodeling that created a hospital ward exclusively for cat care. The creation of separate wards is a benefit to both species, as the dogs and cats are both calmer in their respective patient wards.
• New Dentistry Suite – instead of providing dental treatments in the surgical suite, a new dental room was created. Separated from hectic traffic in other hospital areas, the specialized features of this room include a ventilation unit to confine the aerosol from dental procedures, keeping both patients and caregivers safer.

• Good Samaritan Care – in select situation, the CAF has helped pay for the veterinary care where an owner did not have the resources for the care or for animals without owners. In most cases, a donor designates this use of a CAF gift.
• Research – CAF dollars have helped fund studies of mast cell tumors, mammary tumors, animal shelter euthanasia methods, pet loss grieving, and other companion animal health issues.
• More exam rooms – we have doubled the number of general exam rooms, allowing more cases to be seen and reducing the waiting time.