Send unused journals, textbooks, and supplies abroad

Priceless help for foreign veterinarians, students in need

If the shelves and cabinets, back rooms, and offices at your veterinary clinic are crammed with unused textbooks, journals, instruments, equipment, and supplies, consider donating them to veterinarians and students in foreign countries where they are needed.

The AVMA often receives calls from people interested in donating such items. The groups and individuals listed here collect for the countries specified. These donations may be tax-deductible if given to a qualified nonprofit organization, using IRS form 8283, "Noncash Charitable Contributions." Or consult a tax expert.

Dr. Amid Adetayo seeks donations of veterinary surgery textbooks, endoscopic instruments, surgical instrument packs, a portable ultrasound machine, an anesthesia machine used in teaching, spay and other surgical simulators, and surgical supplies, including gowns, drapes, and gloves. Donated items will be used to educate students at the College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria in Abuja, Nigeria. Contact Dr. Adetayo at 3319 Elbert St., Baltimore, MD 21229; phone, 243-279-1109; amidadetayoyahoo [dot] com (amidadetayo[at]yahoo[dot]com).

Dr. Liga Dindonis coordinates donations of textbooks, journals, surgical instruments, and miscellaneous veterinary supplies for International Veterinary Educational Assistance, for Baltic countries. Books and journals must have been published no earlier than 2010. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information, including shipping options and possible reimbursement of associated costs (only on equipment and supplies), contact Dr. Dindonis, 4888 Cannon Woods Court N.E., Belmont, MI 49306; Liene [dot] dindonisgmail [dot] com (Liene[dot]dindonis[at]gmail[dot]com).

The Education and Research Committee of Usmanu Danfodiyo University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Nigeria requests donations and subscriptions of books, journals, publications, illustration posters and models, CD-ROMs, and other interactive learning materials. The committee's educational program would also welcome computers and laboratory/diagnostic materials. Items should be sent to the program's coordinator, Dr. Aminu Shittu, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, P.M.B 2254, Sokoto State, Nigeria; phone, 234-0-806-5489-917; ameen_vetyahoo [dot] com (ameen_vet[at]yahoo[dot]com).

Dr. Cirilo Reyes Jr. collects veterinary, medical, and husbandry books, conference proceedings, sample veterinary board examination questions, and animal industry trade journals to be sent to veterinary schools and colleges in the Philippines. Books published between 1980 to the present and journals published within the last five years are preferred. Also needed are microscopes and surgical materials. Contact Dr. Reyes at 1330 N. Pershing Ave., Liberal, KS 67901; phone, 620-482-0981; ciriloreyyahoo [dot] com (cirilorey[at]yahoo[dot]com).

Dr. Said Gul Safi, president and program manager of the Afghanistan Veterinary Association, welcomes donations of veterinary textbooks, journals, surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies. Contact Dr. Safi at Badam Bagh, District-17, Kabul City, Afghanistan; phone, 93-7008-78044; saidgulsafigmail [dot] com (saidgulsafi[at]gmail[dot]com).

The Tanzania Animal Welfare Society in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, accepts donations of veterinary textbooks, journals, surgical instruments, examination tables, cages, laptops and projectors, suture materials, and miscellaneous veterinary supplies. Contact Dr. Thomas W. Kahema, Executive Director, Tanzania Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 10268, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; phone, 255-713-322796; tzanimalyahoo [dot] com (tzanimal[at]yahoo[dot]com); www.taweso.org.

Project AnimalAid (formerly Project V.E.T.S.) collects veterinary and medical equipment, technology, and supplies for donation to veterinarians in the United States and around the world who work for nonprofit organizations or nongovernmental organizations dedicated to improving animal health and welfare. Most supplies and equipment are sought, including microscopes, centrifuges, blood chemistry analyzers, baby scales, bandaging materials, surgical instruments, clippers, blades and trimmers, laptops, and textbooks published within the past five years. Contact Meghan Curtis, Project AnimalAid, 1630A 30th St. #256, Boulder, CO 80301; phone, 303-819-2501, ext. 1; infoprojectanimalaid [dot] org (info[at]projectanimalaid[dot]org); www.projectanimalaid.org.

Second Chance Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue organization in Puerto Rico, requests donations of surgical instruments and miscellaneous veterinary-related supplies appropriate for a full-service animal shelter in Villalba. Donations should be sent to HC 1 Box 3547, Villalba, PR 00766. For more information, contact Bonnie Lukas or Ronda Moren, satoheartyahoo [dot] com (satoheart[at]yahoo[dot]com); www.scarpr.org.