VAS Awareness
                               P.O. Box 1756
                               Davidson, NC  28036-1756

 


What is VAS Awareness?

“VAS” stands for Feline “Vaccine Associated Sarcoma.”  Some also call this disease “Injection Site Sarcoma” or "Vaccine Site Sarcoma".  VAS is any of a number of cancers, most commonly Fibrosarcoma, which are believed to be triggered by vaccinations and occasionally other kinds of injections.  VAS is primarily an issue for domestic cats, though it has been identified in ferrets and tigers, and recent research indicates that it may also occur in dogs.

VAS Awareness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was created with the main purpose of educating the public about this type of cancer in cats.


Our Four-fold Mission

1) To prevent and decrease the incidence of feline vaccine related cancers (also known as "Vaccine Associated Sarcoma" or VAS)

2) To support ongoing research involving feline vaccine related cancers, vaccine safety, effectiveness and/or duration of protection studies.

3) To raise the public's awareness of Feline Vaccine Associated Sarcoma while educating cat owners about current professional veterinary guidelines for vaccines and about the availability of safer, adjuvant-free vaccines.

4) To encourage and support profession-wide education of Veterinary professionals regarding VAS prevention through the use of current professional veterinary vaccination guidelines, and through the use of currently available, safer, adjuvant-free vaccines.


Who are we?

The people who make up VAS Awareness come from a group of people who currently have a cat being treated for this cancer or have had a cat that has died as a result of this cancer.  We include professionals from the world of business and veterinary medicine.  We are not anti-vaccination, but pro-education.  We believe that prevention is the best cure for this deadly cancer and that through public education, the incidence of this cancer can be reduced dramatically.

We are pleased to be supporting members of the Cornell Feline Health Center.  Are you interested in supporting the continuing education and research of the Cornell Feline Health Center?  Click here for more information!


What we do...

We provide free information to cat lovers through educational tables at Cat Shows, flea markets and other events.  All of our members are volunteers who donate their time, computers, printers, materials and finances to create our handouts and brochures.  We also provide VAS educational lectures and presentations to small groups. Much of the information that we provide has been created by our members.  As Supporting Members of the Cornell Feline Health Center, we are pleased to have collaborated with veterinary professionals who are experts on the subject of feline vaccine associated sarcoma.  Through "Nina's Fund", VAS Awareness has created a way to provide annual support for veterinary research concerning vaccines and vaccine/injection related cancers.    


Contact Information

For more information about Feline Vaccine Associated Sarcoma or Injection Site Sarcoma, please click here.

For more information about how you can support our efforts, visit our "How you can help" page or click here.
 
To contact us via the United States Postal Service:
VAS Awareness
P.O. Box 1756
        Davidson, NC     28036-1756 

  • The information contained on this website is intended for general reference purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.  Veterinary medical information and treatment standards change rapidly and while we make efforts to obtain the most reliable, up-to-date information, some information may be out of date or even unreliable.  This information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.  Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified professional.(12/2003)

  • VAS Awareness

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    Look for a VAS Awareness Educational Table at an Event below! 

    East of Eden Cat Show Monterey Fairgrounds Monterey, CA

    February 23-24, 2008

     

    Supporting Research

    through

    Nina's Fund

    click here

    for more information!

     
     
     
     

     

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