Mobile vet teams helping at home and abroad
Mobile Vets on the move at home and abroad
Did you know that there are a number of charities which enable poorly animals to have treatment by vets on the move?
The charities enable animals to be treated outside of a surgery; they may live in remote areas or not have homes to go to.
The charities concerned enable the pets and animals to receive care such as check-ups and emergency care and often to train people in remote areas how to look after their animals. Some of them may give training online, providing resources and help via technology. Some provide resources to local charities, too.
So this is a great chance to highlight veterinary charities which do incredible work…They will all have different ways in which you can help and get involved, from spreading the word, to donating, volunteering and more!
“Current statistics suggest around 320,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness in the UK and anywhere from 5% to 25% of them are homeless with a pet.” Streetvet
StreetVet is a registered practice with the RCVS (that’s the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). It was established by a team of professional vets and vet nurses to bring essential care to people experiencing homelessness and their pets in the UK. StreetVet offers free veterinary care to pets belonging to those experiencing homelessness in the UK. It delivers free essential veterinary care and services to the pets of people experiencing homeless in many locations around the UK. StreetVet team take their experience out onto the streets of ever expanding locations, seeking out people; their dogs living rough, and delivering care and support required to ensure their combined wellbeing. You can find ways to donate and help here
#PetsInEveryHostel
StreetVet wants to ensure nobody has to choose between their pet and a roof over their heads. Having acquired feedback from hostels, Streetvet has developed a Hostel Accreditation Scheme to offer training and support, so that they can adopt positive pet policies. Streetvet help people and their pets living rough and living in temporary accommodation with the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme, so that pets and owners can stay together. Find out more. https://www.streetvet.co.uk/streetvet-accredited-hostel-scheme/
VetLife offers independent, confidential and free help for everyone in the veterinary community e.g. veterinary nurses, students, non-clinical staff. In 2021, they responded to 3,390 enquiries. The website has information on self-care and signs you may be struggling to cope.
The WVS works worldwide to ensure that no animal goes uncared for by providing free expert care to animals in need around the world. They send vets to where they are needed most, training them to increase the standard of care, and shipping urgent aid supplies out throughout the year. Last year, they treated over 71,000 animals, trained over 3,000 vets and veterinary students, and sent over 850 aid parcels. They have International Training Centres in India and Thailand and engage vet professionals around the world through their online WVS Academy. You can donate money and medication, fundraise, become an individual member or a veterinary practice member. You can also pair your pet with another animal to help them. You can pair a pet in memory of your pet, too. You can also volunteer, if you’re a vet or a vet nurse or passionate about animal welfare! Find out more about WVS You could also find out about their Mission Rabies
Wildlife Vets International
WVI is a British charity and they have been providing critical veterinary support to international wildlife and conservation projects since 2004. And they sponsor world-class vets to work at what they call "the cutting edge of wildlife medicine". They train local vets and biologists so that they can identify, monitor and mitigate disease threats, reintroduce species to the wild safely, and treat sick or injured animals. The work of the charity means that specialiset wildlife veterinary surgeons can work alongside local organisations fighting to save endangered animals. This is more important than ever, becuase infectious diseasee are a huge cause for concern with wildlife, especially vulnerable populations. You can see some of their projects here (including pine martens, apainted wolves, Mediterranean turtles, birds of prey and primates.
SNIP International
SNIP International is dedicated to improving animal welfare standards worldwide. It promotes trap, neuter, return programmes in stray and feral animals. It has donated specialist catching, trapping and holding equipment to over 500 animal welfare groups in over 80 countries. So far they have donated 2,257 equipment to 669 groups in 98 countries! Find out more at Snip International…
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Trust has six mobile veterinary clinics and 3 rapid response helicopters and also a rapid response Sky Vet initiative which is headed by the Kenya Wildlife Service vets to alleviate the suffering of inured wild animals across Kenya. They respond to all sorts of emergencies such as injuries caused by snares, spears, allow and gunshot wounds. The mobile units are custom-made vehicles, prepared for rapid and effective veterinary response to any case. Each team is led by a KWS vet, with capture rangers and a Sheldrick Wildlife Trust driver.
Find out more here from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
PDSA (UK)
PDSA have 48 pet hospitals which care for sick and injured pets every day, helping to save lives and keep them well and happy. They are also a leading authority on pet health. You need to meet the criteria to receive veterinary treatment for your pet. FInd out more about them here.
Safe Haven for Donkeys (Gaza and Egypt)
Safe Haven for Donkeys is looking to fund a second mobile vet team in Egypt in 2025. Their first one cared for 1,250 donkeys and it’s visited 120 kilns to help donkeys. Please find out more and donate here. You can also buy a virtual gift for the donkeys to help with their care.
SPANA
SPANA’s goal is "to improve the welfare of working animals in vulnerable communities across the world". They do this through treating, training and teaching". SPANA vets treat by providing veterinary care and support to working animals in need - 529,000 vet treatments were given last year, and they have 55 fixed and mobile units worldwide. SPANA provide a network of free veterinary clinics within SPANA centres in towns and cities whilst their mobile clinics deliver essential veterinary care to remote and isolated rural communities. SPANA vets train, too: they deliver professional training to improve skills in low-income countries, so supporting local vets, and vet students, plus farriers and technicians. Find out how you can get involved and help here.
The Brooke
The Brooke aims to make a lasting difference to future generations of animals, and to this end, its veterinary teams work to strengthen existing healthcare infrastructures. It works with farriers, and it has a Pocket Guide to Working Equid Veterinary Consultations. In March 2024, Brooke and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) launched the first-ever global list of essential veterinary medicines to help vets get access to safe and effective medicines. The Brooke says that the list will also help fight the global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and support plans to prevent future pandemics. Find out more here.
Visit The Brooke here
The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary has a Donkey Academy via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with courses open to everyone or professionals. The training resources and education has been developed by their professional donkey and mule experts.