UTRGV Health Services recently donated 20 pallets worth of personal protective equipment to Palm Valley Animal Society.
The PPE includes disposable gowns, face shields, N95 particulate respirators and hand sanitation wipes. The donation also includes gallons of vital oxide, which Palm Valley can use as disinfectant cleaner, mold and mildew killer and odor eliminator.
“We are so thankful to UTRGV for being lifesavers,” said Adriana Gonzales, a member of the PVAS’ public relations team, “Community donations play a huge role in providing our shelter pets with the comfort and nourishment they need.”
The collaborative effort began when UTRGV Director of Student and Employee Health Services Rick Gray wondered how his department could rehome UTRGV’s excess PPE supplies.
“I have a PVAS graduate as my personal fur-friend and remembered seeing how much PPE they use in caring for their animals,” said Gray.
Gray worked behind the scenes with enthusiastic support from various UTRGV divisions, including UT Health RGV, Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management and the Office of Emergency Management.
A Group Effort
With the university’s support, 814 animals at Palm Valley Animal Society’s Laurie P. Andrews and Trenton centers in Edinburg will continue to receive careful attention from animal care technicians in a clean and safe way.
“UTRGV’s donation of PPE will greatly help our staff in every job they perform,” said Gonzales, “PPE is used by our animal care technicians to protect their clothing and skin while ensuring our pets are in a clean and healthy environment.”
Gonzales also said PVAS’ medical staff additionally uses PPE while administering vaccines and performing surgeries at their clinic.
For Gray, the opportunity to contribute to the shelter’s mission in caring for animals in the community brought him immense satisfaction.
“It is one of our goals at UTRGV to be an engaged member of our community and we are simply happy to be able to help,” Gray said.
PVAS is always in need of donations such as blankets, dog and cat food, pet beds, crates, collars and toys.