VCA Welfare Foundation
For more information, contact:
- vcawf2000@gmail.com
- Krista Schroeder, VCA Public Health Coordinator
- Cathy Gallagher, Chair, VCA Breed Sustainability Committee
The Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation (VCA WF) was formally established in 2000 by the Vizsla Club of America (VCA) Board of Directors to give our breed a recognized charitable structure with 501(c)3 non-profit status for grant-making purposes. Our mission is to provide enduring financial support to benefit the purebred Vizsla in the areas of health research and rescue. Also, as part of our charter, we seek to educate the community-at-large regarding the preservation, betterment and health of the purebred Vizsla. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are available below.
Without the generous and thoughtful support of so many breeders, owners, handlers and admirers of the Vizsla, the VCA WF could not begin to fulfill our mission to preserve and protect the welfare of the purebred Vizsla.
VCA WF Board of Directors (2022)
Elise Wright, President vcawf2000@gmail.com
Meghan Tallman, Vice-President
Laurie Cummings Cahill, Treasurer
Kathy Rust, Secretary
Krista Schroeder, VCA Public Health Coordinator
Les Varga
Lynn Worth-Smith
Directors Emeriti: Pat Carnes, Dee Chuisano, Anne Denehy
VCA WF Veterinary Advisory Committee
Emily M Ansel DVM
Nancy Heinold DVM
Karen Potter DVM
Patricia Carnes Ware DVM
VCA Welfare Funds
The VCA WF manages the Welfare Foundation’s assets among four different funds:
1. Health Fund
The Health Fund sponsors several Vizsla-specific research projects, including the Cornell University Vizsla Mast Cell Tumor Study; the Epilepsy Research Initiative in partnership with Dr Ned Patterson at the University of Minnesota via the AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF), the Lymphosarcoma study in collaboration with the Magyar Vizsla Society; and Hemangiosarcoma, Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma Research with Dr Jaime Modiano at the University of Minnesota.
Since 2010, the VCA WF has partnered with other breed clubs through AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF) to fund research on canine epilepsy, canine lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell cancer and on brucellosis. FMI about VCA WF sponsored research, please contact the VCA Welfare Foundation at vcawf2000@gmail.com.
» Learn how you can make a tax-deductible donation
2. Rescue Fund
The VCA WF partners with regional vizsla clubs and independent rescue organizations to provide support for efforts to rescue the pure-bred vizsla.
» Learn more about applying for a grant from the VCA WF to support pure bred Vizsla rescue
» Learn how you can make a tax-deductible donation
3. The Frank Lacko Memorial Cancer Research Fund
Frank Lacko, a long time Vizsla Club of America member, passed away after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Frank was a well-known and well-regarded sportsman, who raised many champion and field titled Vizslas, handling them in the show and field. Frank and his wife, Martha, have owned, bred, shown and supported the Vizsla breed for thirty-one years as Toldin Vizslas, in both the US and in Canada.
The Welfare Foundation is honored to manage this fund in Frank’s memory and takes the responsibility of selecting appropriate research grants very seriously. It is possible that, one day, cancer research in dogs may lead to a cure for human cancers as well.
4. DNA Fund
The DNA Fund is dedicated to fostering the work of the Magyar Vizsla Society. The VCA WF continues to collect blood to build a reference library for the breed for present and future DNA testing.
5. General Fund
The General Fund exists for the purpose of managing the Foundation and may be used to provide additional funding for health, rescue and educational initiatives, as needed.
» Learn how you can make a tax-deductible donation
Donate
Click here to donate via paypal. If no fund is specified, your generous donation will go to the general fund.