News Updates - World Vets - to improve the quality of life of animals, people & the environments in which they live by providing veterinary...

471 Surgeries in Laos

Apr 10

The World Vets team in Laos recently completed 471 free sterilization surgeries for pets in the capital city Vientiane. World Vets also provided 250 rabies vaccinations, all of which were administered to patients free-of-charge. No-cost veterinary services such as these help low-income communities control animal overpopulation and help to reduce the spread of the deadly rabies virus in high-risk areas.

The three-day event from March 15 to 17 included veterinary volunteers from U.S.A, Canada, Australia, and Israel, led by field service vet Dr. Winnie Neunzig and head technician Christina Sloan. The World Vets team worked alongside volunteers from World Vets’ local partner and host group Vientiane Dog Paradise with its manager Analin Phoutsavath to spay and neuter hundreds of animals. Local veterinarian Dr. Melody Bomon and several Laos veterinary students and other local volunteers also joined in the campaign.

Photo credits to Vientiane Dog Paradise, Winnie Neunzig, and Donna Gingras.

Avian Influenza Monitoring

Apr 10

Since November of 2023, World Vets has provided veterinary expertise for monitoring the avian influenza emergency in Galapagos, specifically at the locations of Isla Lobos and Punta Pitt. Working together with the Galapagos National Park and the Biosecurity Agency (ABG) of Galapagos, these remote sites have been routinely monitored with catch and release testing of a variety of species of birds including primarily Blue Footed and Red Footed Booby and Frigate Birds. Testing was also done on other species, include marine mammals in locations around the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We are very happy to announce that the emergency has now been declared over and these sites will be open to visitors again.

Support for this work and other wildlife response, rescue, and conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands are provided through a major grant, as well as from our many generous donors and followers.

With funding support from:

Veterinary Care for Galapagos Pets

Feb 19

Helping Pets in Galapagos! World Vets community veterinary clinic on the Galapagos Islands has now provided care to 3765 patients with over 2100 sterilization surgeries, as well as many complex medical and surgical cases. Thanks to our amazing veterinary team this month, under the skilled leadership of World Vets Field Service Veterinarian Dr Winnie Krogman, another 101 sterilization surgeries were performed along with numerous medical consultations and other life-saving surgical procedures. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our donors and volunteers who make this work possible, as well as our important collaboration with GAD Municipal de San Cristóbal Galápagos, Agencia de Bioseguridad para Galápagos, Animal Balance, and Lakefield Veterinary Group. This program delivers critical service for local pets while playing an important role in protecting the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.

: Photo credit: Sarah Revell

New Year Update on Galapagos Wildlife

Jan 15

World Vets team members have been hard at work these last two months, responding to over 60 cases of sick, injured, and stranded marine mammals and other native wildlife species on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos. Our rapid response team provides 24/7 coverage for wildlife calls and works alongside Galapagos National Park rangers. Animal cases have included many Galapagos sea lions, several Gaviota Franklin birds, numerous blue-footed and red-footed boobys, as well as pelicans, a marine iguana, and other birds.

Just one example is a male sea lion that was hit by a truck. World Vets, Park Rangers, the National Police, and Environmental Police were quickly on the scene. The sea lion was transported to the short-term holding area where he was evaluated, ultra-sounded, and treated for soft tissue injuries. After a short hospital stay, he was released at a nearby beach where he swam off into the ocean. He was observed several days later and was doing well.

World Vets is helping provide veterinary care for rescued animals in efforts to protect and preserve the endangered and endemic animals of the Galapagos Islands. We are grateful to the many World Vets members, donors, partners, and followers for their kind support of animals around the globe as we continue our mission into 2024.

With funding support from:

200 Free Sterilizations on San Cristobal Island

Dec 20

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, loyal donors and supporters, and local collaborators, World Vets wrapped up another successful veterinary campaign in the Galapagos Islands this month. Through facilitation with local government agency ABG (Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad para Galápagos), the municipality of San Cristobal (GAD Municipal de San Cristóbal), and local partner Animal Balance, World Vets sterilized 200 dogs and cats on the island of San Cristobal. Besides spays and neuters, the volunteer veterinary team performed several life-saving surgeries and essential procedures and completed countless health consultations and treatments. All services were offered free of charge to resident pet owners in an effort to benefit small animal health, control dog and cat populations, and protect local wildlife in the region.