An abandoned puppy rescued by WVS.
Article from the Veterinary Times – 08.12.03
- The provision and co-ordination of a volunteer network to support the work of animal welfare organisations overseas.
- The provision of medical and financial aid to both animal welfare organisations and charities.
- The provision of veterinary advice and support.
- To promote and conduct research in all matters relating to animals welfare.
Utilising Skills
Luke, a practising vet and chief executive of WVS, set up the charity in 2003 and it achieved UK registration status in November. He has high hopes for WVS and hopes to utilise the high levels of skill and training within the profession in order to promote animal health and welfare.
“It reminds me of why I became a vet in the first place – to help animals” said Luke. “Sometimes I look at the profession and think this has largely been forgotten and money has taken over; but the satisfaction you get from helping animals is fantastic.”
The WVS is looking for vets (in all areas of expertise), vet nurses and students to help associated charities and animal organisations that need its assistance.
All organisations and animals in need of help will be assisted, from companion animals and working animals to wild and marine.
Some of the organisations already associated with the WVS include Gaia Animali and Ambiente – a neuter and release organisation in Romania; Twinkle Trust – a UK registered charity helping neglected and feral cats abroad; Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust; Tuzla Animal Centre in Bosnia; British Divers Marine Life Rescue; Dogs/Cats in Distress in Thailand (DIDIT). A full list is available at www.WVS.org.uk
Moving To The Next Level
The WVS has already played a major part in helping animals across the globe, having already been out to Greece, the Middle East and Morocco but now it is a registered charity things will move to the next leve, insists Luke.
A number of forthcoming projects have been organised. WVS is looking for veterinary volunteers for all these trips and any future overseas ventures that can be organised. Currently arranged outings are:
- 10th-13th September 2004 – neutering and treating dogs in Romania. Free accomodation. Flights at cost price.
- 11th-19th October 2004 – vets and nurses required to form a team to target the feral animals on the Greek Island of Samos. Cost £190 per week.
- Neutering cats in Fuerteventura, working with the Twinkle Trust Foundation. If you are intersted then e-mail (see details at the end of this article) because dates come up constantly for these trips.
- Last three weeks of February 2004 – trip to Gambia for a team of vets, nurses and anyone with equine experience to run a series of training workshops for vets in the African country, also to treat equines. Free accommodation. Flights will cost about £400.
“We can start to make a difference and really do some good while presenting a united front of the vet profession helping animal welfare”
Luke said that the WVS would appreciate any products or equipment, especially surgical packs, that any veterinary companies could provide to help them with any of these trips of future animal health projects.
Justification
“How can I justify giving veterinary care to a working donkey when there are people starving in Africa? The way I look at it is the people are dependent on them so it directly benefits them.” said Luke. “There are 200 million donkeys in the world and 190 million of them are working animals; that puts into perspective just how important they are.”
“With companion animals, if we are controlling them by neutering then we are cutting out the risk of disease. The other aspect is carrying out effictive and sustainable veterinary research: looking at the impact of neutering cats on the population dynamics and the prevalence of disease over time to see how it affects the people.” He added “I hope vets want to do things like this and WVS can provide the facilities to do so. We can start to make a difference and really do some good while presenting a united front of the vet profession helping animal welfare”.
Commitment
Luke maintains they are committed long-term to animals in distress. “There is no point going there just once, you have to keep going back and doing it again” he said.
You can pledge support to WVS by becoming a member. You can register on-line at www.wvs.org.uk.
