Drought Aid 2002 has donated $50,000 to the Alberta Foundation for
Animal Care.
“The money is to alleviate livestock in distress,” said Rod Scarlett,
executive director of Wild Rose Agricultural Producers. It administers
the trust fund set up at Alberta Treasury Branches with advice from a
board of provincial commodity group representatives.
Scarlett said the advisory board wants the money to go to those most in
need.
The foundation’s board is meeting to determine how best to use the
money. Manager Susan Church said certain priorities have already been
set.
“The priority is to ensure livestock do not suffer from lack of feed,
water or bedding.”
The foundation plans to work with Alberta SPCA, the Alberta Veterinary
Practitioners’ Association and its own Alert team, a group of producer
volunteers that works with owners of distressed livestock.
The drought aid trust fund was established in August. About $100,000
has been collected. The largest donation of $50,000 came from Agrium
Inc.
The board wants the money to target specific areas of need and plans to
meet later this month.
