Fishing tournament to benefit Pet Samaritan Fund

Clinicians from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine will be casting their rods June 12 in Cedar Key to benefit special needs pets at a “Fins for Fur” charity fishing tournament in Cedar Key.

Anyone interested in participating may register to compete in three categories: Redfish, Spanish Mackerel and Trout. All support and contributions will go toward the UF Veterinary Hospitals’ Pet Samaritan Fund.

The fund is used exclusively to help treat special needs animals that also offer teaching opportunities for veterinary students. Patients that are eligible are either ownerless or owned by clients who have extenuating financial circumstances. To be considered eligible for funding support, such animals would be deemed to be in need of life-saving procedures.

The first-ever event was conceived of by Dr. Carsten Bandt, an assistant professor of emergency and critical care at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Bandt likes to fish, so he approached several of his colleagues with the idea of creating a fishing tournament as a means to involve the public in their effort to raise funds and bring awareness to the situation many owners and animal face during these difficult economic times.

For more information, call Bandt at 352-258-1930 or e-mail him at bandtc@ufl.edu.