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Zika Virus Alert: Pregnant Volunteers

Feb 04

In light of the recent development concerning the zika virus, World Vets recommends that our volunteers (or prospective volunteers) do not sign up for trips in Latin America and/or the Caribbean if they are pregnant, may be pregnant or are trying to get pregnant with their partners. If you are currently registered for a World Vets project, we always recommend that volunteers obtain travel insurance in the event that they may have to cancel their participation as project fees are non-refundable and/or non-transferable to other opportunities and/or persons.

Statement from CDC for pregnant women: Recommendations for Pregnant Women Considering Travel to an Area of Zika Virus Transmission

Because there is neither a vaccine nor prophylactic medications available to prevent Zika virus infection, CDC recommends that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing (10). If a pregnant woman (or her partner) travels to an area with Zika virus transmission, they should be advised to strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites (11,12). Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite both indoors and outdoors, mostly during the daytime; therefore, it is important to ensure protection from mosquitoes throughout the entire day (13). Mosquito prevention strategies include wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–registered insect repellents, using permethrin-treated clothing and gear, and staying and sleeping in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms. When used as directed on the product label, insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant women (14,15). Further guidelines for using insect repellents are available online

For the most current information on areas impacted by Zika virus, visit the CDC website here

More information on the Zika virus and prevention techniques can be found here

World Vets benefits from Travelocity “Travel for Good” contest

Jan 20

A few weeks ago World Vets received a most welcomed surprise. We learned that World Vets volunteer Courtney Vaudreuil participated in the Travelocity “Travel for Good” twitter contest. We were even more shocked when she won the grand prize! What did she win? An opportunity for her and friend Carole Angelo to travel and volunteer with World Vets. What’s more, Travelocity also made a significant monetary contribution to World Vets in support of our international efforts to help animals!

Courtney claimed her prize earlier this month by joining us in Nicaragua for a veterinary field service project. This project had our team provide free spay/neuter services for companion animals in undeserrved communities and to benefit those who are unable to afford this service. In a four day period, over 200 free sterilizations were provided!

But, it doesn’t just stop there. Prior to Courtney’s trip, she was trying to collect donations of dog collars and leashes to give out during the project. While she succeeded in getting some, Travelocity surprised her with a large donation of collars and leashes during the project, which she then distributed to animal patients at the clinic site.

A common thing we often hear from our volunteers is how amazing it is that individuals from all different backgrounds and geographical locations can come together and accomplish so much good in just a short amount of time. We believe this wouldn’t be possible if our volunteers didn’t share a common goal and passion. World Vets has been very lucky in this sense in attracting outstanding volunteers that want to dedicate their time, energy and skills as part of our projects that help animals.

We depend heavily on our volunteers to achieve our mission and in turn bring much needed veterinary care to animals all over the world. We not only have a need for veterinarians, but anyone who is an animal lover! In other words, in order to volunteer it is not necessary that you have previous veterinary or animal related experience. Courtney and Carole did not come from a veterinary background yet they still filled a very important role as “assistant” in tending to animals recovering after surgery. Read more about volunteer descriptions here

We are extremely grateful for this opportunity and thank Travelocity for choosing Courtney and supporting World Vets!

Travelocity believes that voluntourism makes us and our world better. They want to support people who have the desire to travel for good, which is why they re-launched the Travel For Good program this past fall. Travel For Good aims to support individuals who have causes they’re passionate about, and through this program, Travelocity strives to help to make a difference all over the world.

Mark your calendars & show your love for animals this Giving Hearts Day!

Jan 20

SAVE THE DATE!

With your help, World Vets can raise a tremendous amount of financial support to benefit our mission this Giving Hearts Day (Thursday, February 11th). During this 24 hour online fundraising event, match funding multiplies the impact of your giving.

To make a secure online contribution simply go to impactgiveback.org and select World Vets on Thursday, February 11th! Mark your calendars and show your love for animals this Giving Hearts Day!

Declutter & Donate with World Vets

Dec 30

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Join us and let your ‘stuff’ make a positive impact for animals in need. Your gift will not only help free yourself from clutter; it will help World Vets provide free veterinary care to animals around the globe.

This option may be available for a limited amount of time, so give now.

World Vets is a registered 501c(3) Non Government Organization. All donations to World Vets are tax deductible.

World Vets Honored with Animal Protection Award

Dec 18

This year World Vets was honored with the Adoptame Animal Protection Award 2015. This award was created by the Association Adoptame to distinguish the work and effort in the fight against animal abandonment in Paraguay. Four organizations were honored this year for their commitment in the mission of raising awareness, spirit of solidarity, and respect for animals in society and responsible pet ownership. Along with World Vets, the others recognized are the Zoonosis unit of Municipalidad de Asunción, Shopping Villa Morra and Purina Nestle Paraguay.

We thank the Association Adoptame for this great recognition of our work and impact in Paraguay!

Team Returns from Successful Campaign in Honduras

Dec 16

World Vets has been running spay/neuter clinics in Roatan, Honduras for the last 8 years. As part of these clinics we offer sterilization surgeries as well as medical consults and preventive treatments. In 2015 we operated two large scale veterinary campaigns where all veterinary services were provided free of charge. One of our teams just returned from a successful project on the island. See pictures from our most recent campaigns here

We’d like to thank our stellar volunteers and local coordinators for an excellent effort. We’d also like to give big thanks to Foundation Brigitte Bardot for their ongoing support of this program.

Join us on our next Roatan campaign! Read more

Use your CE Allowance to Volunteer with World Vets

Dec 11

World Vets is excited to announce that we are now offering RACE-approved continuing education (CE) credit for veterinarians and technicians!

Our CE program is offered at World Vets’ Latin America Veterinary Training Center located in Granada, Nicaragua and coincides with our International Veterinary Medicine (IVM) Program. Veterinarians and technicians who sign up as instructors as part of the IVM program will have the chance to include the CE option at the time of their registration.

Veterinarians and technicians can combine 23 hours of lecture and lab time to refine current skills and learn new skills in student instruction and field medicine/surgery. Participants can also gain insight into “One Health” concepts and applications as they relate to international veterinary medicine.

Learn more

#GivingTuesday Update

Nov 30

Thank you to all our supporters that helped make #GivingTuesday 2015 a success!

If you did not get the chance to give this #GivingTuesday and would like to provide a gift to World Vets, click “donate” below.

This year we are fortunate to receive an end of year matching donation challenge from the Maria Norbury Foundation. That means that EVERY dollar you donate up to $10,000 starting #GivingTuesday until Dec 31st, 2015 will be doubled as part of this match.

World Vets is a registered 501c(3) Non Government Organization. All donations to World Vets are tax deductible.

World Vets Aids Animals in Cambodia

Nov 23

Earlier this month World Vets had a small scout team in Cambodia to carry out a pilot project in Siem Reap. Despite a small team size and some challenges along the way, they executed quite a successful spay/neuter campaign with many animals in attendance. Way to go Team Cambodia!

We`d like to thank Wat Damnak for hosting our campaign and Fondation Brigitte Bardot for their support of this project.

Matching Donation Challenge & #GivingTuesday

Nov 17

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: On Nov 28th World Vets will once again be participating in #GivingTuesday, a national movement to encourage spending with a purpose. Not only that, but we are thrilled to announce that the Maria Norbury Foundation has graciously offered a $15,000 end of year matching donation challenge starting Giving Tuesday. This means that EVERY dollar you donate up to $15,000 starting this #GivingTuesday will be matched!

Save the date to support World Vets and your support can go twice as far. With your help, we can raise a tremendous amount of financial support to benefit our mission to help animals around the globe.