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Fishing tournament planned for Oct. 26

Fishing fans will be happy to know that the Fins for Fur Cedar Key Fishing Challenge is back!

Clinicians from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine will join referring veterinarians from the  community in casting their rods Oct. 26 in Cedar Key. The launch time will be 7 a.m. at the public boat ramp, with weigh-in between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., followed by a barbecue dinner.

Awards will be given for the biggest redfish, biggest trout and biggest mackerel, with a bonus for the redfish with the most spots.  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 event was conceived of several years ago by Dr. Carsten Bandt, an assistant professor of emergency and critical care at the college. 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.

This year, organizers have made an effort to involve even more referring veterinarians from the community in the fun.

For more information, email Rachel DiSesa at rdisesa@ufl.edu or call her at 352-317-5944.