Equine rescue and retirement facilities must work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to submit an application. Only facilities that follow the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities and have a “not-for-profit” 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status will qualify for the equine vaccines.
AAEP-member veterinarians can work with equine rescue and retirement facilities to receive selected core equine vaccines at no cost. The veterinarian and rescue must work together to submit an application, the facilities checklist and equine vaccine order form. Additionally, veterinarian purchases will be directly correlated to equine vaccine program contributions. Sales of all Merck Animal Health equine vaccines will count toward the program contribution fund.
To receive vaccines for your equine rescue center, download the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign application and then follow these simple steps:
Submit an application for equine core vaccines through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC).
Work with a veterinarian who is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to complete the UHVRC application, facilities checklist and equine vaccine order form.
Submit available support materials as described in the application checklist.
Forward the UHVRC application to the AAEP office for consideration and approval.
Upon approval by AAEP, the equine vaccine order form will be forwarded to Merck Animal Health Customer Service to ship the equine vaccines you need to care for the horses at no cost, improving the horses’ health and freeing up dollars to help more horses. (Vaccines will be shipped after March 1st, pending approval of your application.)
Office: 859-233-0147
Fax: 859-233-1968
Email: dkirkland@aaep.org
Applications must be received by February 1st to be considered for complimentary equine vaccines. The length of time required for review and approval of vaccination funding will be at the discretion of Merck Animal Health and the AAEP. (Note: One application per rescue/ retirement facility per year will be accepted. Only horses, which may include donkeys, mules, burros and miniature horses, within the U.S. will be accepted.)
Please allow approximately two to three weeks for the administrative process. The length of time required for review and approval of vaccination funding will be at the discretion of Merck Animal Health and the AAEP.