Animal Health Foundation Of California

The Animal Health Foundation is a charitable, 501(c)(3), partner of the Southern California veterinary profession, supporting the companion animal community and wildlife in need. The AHF's goals support programs that encourage the human/animal bond, promote public education about animals and programs that advance the study of animal health.

In 1966, after years of study and inspired by Don Mahan, Executive Director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA), the Council of the SCVMA approved the founding of the Animal Health Foundation of Southern California. Recognizing the ever-growing demand by animal lovers to participate in the welfare of the animal population, SCVMA members set up the foundation “to engage in and contribute to the support of exclusively scientific, charitable, literary, or educational activities and projects in the field of veterinary medicine.” The SCVMA Council pledged $5000 ($33,000 in 2009 dollars) to launch the program, along with donations from 72 SCVMA members—you can find the Founder’s list on page 26 of Animal Cavalcade Spring 1971.To read about the formation of AHF, download this article from Pulse, the SCVMA Journal.Mr. Harry Maiden, a renowned award-winning tennis umpire, who officiated at Wimbledon and other major tennis events, became the Executive Director of the foundation. His contacts were instrumental in obtaining the support of many celebrities, among them Zsa Zsa Gabor whose Love Unlimited organization donated $10,000 ($50,000 in today’s dollars) to support the original Animal Health Care program (now the Angel Fund). From the foundation’s inception until his passing, Mr. Maiden was the devoted executive director of the foundation.

We get involved with the local community each year with projects that assist animals. We have assisted hundreds of families with grants to help them with their veterinary costs through our Angel Fund, Rainbow Fund and Boydston Senior Program. We have donated to the Orange County Animal Care Center to purchase 2 Disaster Relief Trailers from the AKC to help animals in disaster situations. Support of the pets of the homeless in Orange County has been ongoing for many years to insure that these pets are up to date with their vaccinations, nail trims, teeth cleaning, etc. in partnership with H.E.A.R.T. These are just of few of the local programs which the AHF supports.

Expand our use of the Boydston Senior Program which assists Sr. Citizens with veterinary costs for their animals. Grow the Angel Fund program which supports financially challenged clients of Southern California Veterinary Medical Association Members. Increase the financial support of the Veterinary Wellness program for the pets of the homeless and low income in Orange County to offer a more frequent schedule. Develop a program where we can offer services for the animals of victims of domestic violence, whom, many times, stay with their abuser in order to protect their loving pet.

Pet veterinary assistance grants are in Orange and surrounding counties.  However, we have supported disaster funding and wildlife assistance in areas throughout the country.

The health and well-being of people can often be partially contributed to their love of a pet.  But, as we age, we often do not have the resources to assist our loving pets with age-related or other illnesses with their care so that they can remain loving companions.  The AHF's main purpose is to help financially strapped Southern California residents with those costs.  In additon, to serve the people in Southern California in other ways, our pet therapy teams visit hospitals and assisted living homes and schools to bring a light to someone's life when they are in a difficult situation.