World Spay Day 2021!

Usually, a lot of us veterinary travellers would be raising awareness of this day from somewhere abroad, but in the weird time that we are in, it's a day to reflect from home on the sheer importance of neutering and trap neuter release projects. It's a day to realise just how effective and necessary these missions are, especially now, a year later when we are noticing a real change and drastic increase of numbers of stray dogs and cats abroad.

Why is neutering important?

Not only can it prevent ill health in animals (such as pyometras and increased risk of mammary cancer in bitches,  and testicular and prostate cancer in male dogs), it also prevents pregnancies! Theoretically, a bitch can have up to three litters per year, and the average litter is seven puppies - this means that in six years, one bitch and her puppies could go on to produce 67 THOUSAND puppies.

This is why stray animal populations can get so out of control in places like small islands and places with no low cost or free veterinary services. 

High stray populations in areas means:

* more competition for food, 

* increased risks of fighting within cat colonies and packs of dogs - leading to wounds and injuries, which can lead to pain, sepsis and death

* increased risk of the transmission of diseases, such as calicivirus, panleukopenia, leishmania and so many more!

* increased risk of the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which can cause serious health concerns and death in both animals and humans, such as tetanus and rabies.

* increase in likelihood of kill missions from local authorities and governments to control the population due to increased risk to human health.

What is happening now?

Around the world, places that have not recieved volunteer help in the past year are already seeing the effects of a lack of neutering projects. Charities and rescues are full to the brim with stray dogs and cats, numbers of strays on the streets has risen dramatically, there are puppy and kitten 'booms' and an increase in the devastating spread of diseases like calicivirus and panleukopenia which end the lives of kittens at young ages. 

It is heart-breaking as a volunteer to see a lot of the hard work from so many of us be set back due to a year of not being able to help. But we must remember that this won't be forever, and that as soon as we can, we can get back on track!

All of the places I have volunteered in the past, which I assume is the same around the globe at the moment, are working their hardest to try and do as much neutering as they can but it's sometimes impossible - a big factor is time. A lot of the charities (if they are lucky enough to have a full time vet) will have their vet doing checks, treating medical inpatients, treating patients for injuries or wounds, and treating emergency admits to the rescue, as well as doing a lot of organising for rehoming, vaccinating, and basically anything and everything that keeps a rescue running - the list is endless!

As well as a lack of time, a lot of places have a lack of supplies and medications, as usually these are brought over by volunteers. It wouldn't be in the charities' best interest to spend some of the minimal funds they have on medications and supplies that could be wasted when things such as food and other vital supplies are running low. 

This day should highlight the heroes that are doing everything they can to keep the mission alive and help keep these animals and the people in their communities safe!

In Morocco, I work closely with the charity ERHAM, which is a charity that started out by feeding are caring for the street cats, which launched its first major neutering project in 2019 - when I first went and volunteered! Two of my trips there have now been cancelled due to the pandemic, which is heartbreaking, but whilst we have not been able to go and assist, the charities chair and lead vet, Baki, has been powering on with neutering as many cats as he can by himself, alongside his full time job as the city vet and being a father! 

In Sardinia, where I have been twice to volunteer with Vets Beyond Borders, I participated in a neutering project at a rescue called Lida Sez Olbia. The main vet at the rescue is one of the most hard working and amazing women I have ever met. She is in charge of hundreds of animals in the rescue, and also takes care of a huge 'ward' full of critically ill animals. As well as all of this, and organising a million and one things, and also caring for her own children, she also tries to neuter as many dogs and cats as she can so that the dogs and cats can then be rehomed - the kennels free from the recently rehomed animals are soon filled with new admissions to the rescue.

What can I do to help?

If you are a member of the public, consider donating to a charity which supports TNR (Trap Neuter Release). You could either donate money, or perhaps a bag of dog or cat food, or even consider a bake sale or another fundraising event.

If you are a veterinary surgeon, or veterinary nurse or technician, depending on where in the world you are and if travel is possible at the moment, consider contacting a charity abroad and seeing if you can volunteer for them. And if you aren't able to travel at the moment, consider planning a trip for when it becomes possible! 

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and when the ban on international travel is lifted, charities will be crying out for help around the globe. If you can lend a hand, even for just a week, it would mean the world to not only the people working at the rescues full time, but the animals in their care and on the streets and the local communities. 

Veterinary Volunteering Organisations and Charities

In this post, myself and a few other travelling veterinary nurses have comprised a list of organisations and charities for volunteer vets and veterinary nurses!

Vets Beyond Borders - VBB

Vets Beyond Border's Website

This organisation is also very popular and highly recommended by volunteers, and also offer a large range of volunteer trips, including Sardinia, India, Africa and Asia.
To be a member, it is $75 a year, and this is needed to participate in the projects.
These projects don't require an admin fee, however accommodation may or may not be included, and flights, visas, food and extras are to be covered by the volunteer.

I would greatly recommend this organisation; they were extremely organised and thorough throughout, always available for assistance or support!
The project in Sardinia was fantastic, we could tell we were making a great difference to the Sanctuary and the animals there! The full time staff were all amazing, as were the two resident vets who worked full time at the Sanctuary. I cannot wait to revisit this project in the future!

Here i am in Sardinia with two veterinary volunteers, Sade and Natalia on our Vet Beyond Borders project!

Worldwide Veterinary Service - WVS

Worldwide Veterinary Service's Website

This organsiation is very popular and well known, and hosts many volunteer trips around the world, including India, Asia, Africa and South America.
You have to pay to be a member (at time of publishing this cost is £40 a year or £4 a month, and includes travel insurance for all WVS volunteer trips).
These projects usually require an Admin fee, as well as paying for accommodation sometimes. Flights, visa, food and extras are to be covered by the volunteer. 

Here is Leigh (vetnurse_conservation) and her time in Africa with WVS!

"I spent 2 weeks with WVS completing their Mission Rabies drive in Ghana (February 2020) and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Their mission and passion is amazing and the animals and people of the world are benefiting massively from this project and organisation. I would definitely be volunteering with WVS again!"

Spay Academy Spain - SAS

Spay Academy Spain's Website

This organisation works with a large rescue in Valladolid, near Madrid called Scooby Medina. It runs roughly every couple of months, and is more a project for final year vet students, newly graduated vets, or vets who want to improve their bitch spay techniques with support from a confident and knowledgeable vet tutor.
For vets, the programme costs £300 deposit +£750 - this cost covers full course fee and disposables, lunch at the rescue, travel to and from the rescue/hotel daily. Not included is flights to and from Madrid and train to Medina del campo, dinner and hotel (preferential rates organised).
This programme has recently started new openings for veterinary nurses - final year SVNs and RVNs.
The cost for veterinary nurses is £300 deposit + £350 - this cost covers full course fee and disposables, hotel, travel to and from the rescue/hotel daily. Not included is flights to and from Madrid and train to Medina del campo, and dinner.

I have attended this project twice so far, with lots more in the plans for the future! I thoroughly enjoy the week; the accommodation supplied is great, and the town is a very small town in the outskirts of Madrid, so the English is minimal in restaurants and the clinic which allows me to practice my Spanish skills which I love! The day time is hard work and long days, but enjoyable with great company! Then in the evening, we go out to eat together, and the food is fantastic! I would highly recommend this project to all vets and vet nurses!

Here i am in Spain with our 10 vet delegates, Ana the vet tutor and Luis, coordinator of the project on my first Spay Academy Spain project!

Animals Asia 

Animal Asia's Volunteer Page

This large and fantastic charity works at two sites, their main bear hospital and rescue in Chengu, China, as well as their centre in Vietnam. They work on rescuing sun bears from the illegal wildlife trade, mostly bears being exploited for bile collection. Once rescued, the bears are kept safely and happily at the centre. As part of the veterinary team, you will be responsible for daily cleaning, feeding and medicating the bears, creating enrichment, and assisting with monthly abdomen and worm checks. Also, assisting with any GA's and surgeries on the bears and assisting with small animal work as needed. Vet nurse volunteers will be supported by a resident VN.
They take veterinary nurse volunteers on for 3 month periods.
There is no fee to go, and they supply accommodation and 3 (vegan) meals a day. However, cost of the visa, flights, vaccinations and any extras are to be paid for by the volunteer.

Here is Molly (@molthesvn) from her time with Animals Asia in China - give her a follow on instagram!

"Animals Asia was my first solo travel experience and I loved every second of it! It was incredible to be surrounded by like minded people and experience the Chengdu Sanctuary first hand, seeing the stunning bears! I wouldn't hesitate to head back and plan on doing a 3-6 month voluntary placement once I graduate!"

Loop Abroad

Loop Abroad Website

An incredible travel program tailored to veterinary professionals and veterinary students. With volunteer programs on each end of the globe, you have opportunities to work with animals of all kinds. This is not only a veterinary travel program, but also offers veterinary credits for their onsite and online courses. This program is designed by veterinarians, for veterinarians. 
Here is Rosie (@rosiemthompson) who also visited the Elephant Nature Park - however she got in touch with them directly!

"I learned so much about elephants and the way they are misused in the tourism industry, and I got to work closely with those rescued who needed veterinary assistance. It was an amazing experience and I can't recommend this place enough. It is an amazing opportunity to see these gentle giants up close without exploiting them like they so often are."

The second photo belongs to Amber (@vettechandtravel) at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai on a Loop Abroad Programme!

"Loop abroad was the perfect introduction to travelling abroad as I was always with a group of like minded animal lovers and in the company of a local guide. My Loop Abroad trip not only prepared me for full time travel, but also gave me one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had by working hand in hand with elephants at ENP!"

ERHAM 

ERHAM Facebook Page

This is a small charity based in Azemmour, Morocco. ERHAM in Arabic means 'show compassion' or 'take pity'. The local volunteers focus on feeding and taking care of the street cats. They have recently begun a vaccination project too.
They run trap, neuter & release projects throughout the year - get in touch with me if you are interested in volunteering with us!

Here i am in Morocco, working on the streets giving flea and worm treatments, noting locations of entire cats, treating any cats/kittens with cat flu and giving out food/water.

I now work very closely with this project, as one of their vet nurses alongside my friend Kimberly.
I will be returning to Morocco as soon as the travel ban is lifted to help with our next trap neuter release project! The cats of Morocco are so special, as are the people - they are so welcoming and kind!

Save Vietnam's Wildlife

Save Vietnam's Wildlife Volunteer Page

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife offer a paying programme and professional programme. The professional one is for vets and vet nurses. However you can only apply for it if you are staying for a longer time (eg 6 weeks). You can still volunteer as a vet nurse on the paying programme and work with the vet team. You volunteer directly with the pangolins and other wildlife rescued from the wildlife trade and more. 

This is Emma, (@_wild.at_heart), an amazing RVN from the UK who volunteered with SVW, who i met in Morocco on another veterinary trip:

'I was there for 3 weeks! It was amazing. I would definitely recommend!'

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Lilongwe Wildlife's Volunteer Page

This Wildlife Trust is based in Malawi, and offers various different volunteer opportunities, such as a 'Vet Externship' which is open to vets, vet students and veterinary nurses. Other opportunities include a 7 day Wildlife Medicine Course, and Research and Sanctuary volunteer positions. This programme is quite expensive, as are the majority of projects in Africa.
However, on the Vet Externship position, Dorm style accomodation is included, and vegetarian meals, tea, coffee, water are all included in the price. If you fly in on a Tuesday, airport transfer is also included. All work-related transport, an orientation on the charity and sanctuary and Lilongwe is included, as is a local sim card and T-shirt.
Flights, Visa, Vaccination, TB scan, and any other excursions and extras would be covered by the volunteer.

Amber (@vetnurseamber) and Emma (@_wild.at_heart) went to Lilongwe and did the Vet Externship. A note from Amber:

"I loved my stay at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. It was my first time abroad volunteering as a vet nurse and I met so many like minded people who I am still in contact with. We worked alongside the vets and caretakers at the Centre and learned a lot about the process of rehabilitation and release of the vervet monkeys and baboons back in the wild. A lifetime experience!

Conservation Africa

Conservation Africa Website

This project is based in Africa and has been running for 18 years so far, and the project involves treating injured and/or abandoned wildlife to bottle-feeding orphaned rhino calves. As well as working with rhino, they also work with hippo, lions, meerkats, antelope and birds of prey as well as other wildlife. The project is led by experienced conservationists.
This is another project which is paid for and can be quite expensive and depending on the project the prices vary. However, the cost covers accommodation, food, airport transfers and a good network of support and guidance. Flights, visa, vaccinations and extras are to be covered by the volunteer.

Leigh visited Care for Wild on one of their Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation projects.

"Care for Wild is an incredible and eye opening sanctuary. Although you are working closely with these poor babies, it's heart breaking to know their stories, but so rewarding to know you are helping their lives, and hopefully raising awareness on poaching. I would return to Care for Wild in a heartbeat!"

Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary

Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary Website


Vet volunteer Tash (@vet_adventures) went out to this rescue:
"Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary is a wonderful rescue shelter set in paradise on the east coast of Barbados. They are currently looking after around 70 dogs and 50 cats. They are incredibly welcoming and grateful for any help we can offer whether that may be as a kennel hand to feed and look after the animals, as a nurse or as a veterinary surgeon. They haven't currently got any facilities to perform surgery on site however I did the rounds checking all their animals while there and was able to treat eye and ear cases, parasites, GI problems and support tick fever cases with fluids and injections as needed. Any cases I was more concerned about I brought to the island's vets. The director of OAAS very kindly put me up during my stay and ensured I had an amazing holiday as well as a very useful time volunteering. All the dogs are walked out daily, either in the stunning hills or on the beach which is only a few minutes walk away. I could not recommend it more!

Extras!

Thank you to all of the other travelling veterinary nurses out there for contributing to this post!
Amber, Emma, Rosie, Molly, Leigh, Amber and Tash! 

In addition to these charities and organisations here, there are hundreds, if not thousands of other charities, large and small that would accept help, either veterinary based or conservation or general care and management of the animals. 

As in discussed in our Q&A, myself and Amber discussed ideas for getting in touch with charities directly; for example, if you are planning to go to a place on holiday or moving to an area, you can do some research and find out if there is an animal charity in the area, and then get in touch!

If you are interested in watching our Q&A, you can find it on the IGTV of either (@thetravellingveterinarynurse) or (@vettechandtravel)!

These links are ideas for online income!

International TEFL Academy: TEFL website

90 Day VA Course ( Becoming an online virtual assistant) : Virtual Assisting Course Website

Why you should try solo travelling - even if it's just once!

Some things I get a lot - from friends, family, colleagues, strangers even!

'Aren't you scared?'
Or, 'You're really brave!'
Or, 'I couldn't do that!' 

When I just want to shout from the rooftops, 'It's not that scary, I'm really not that brave, and you can definitely do it if you want to!'

Honestly, in my opinion, it is the best way to travel. Because really, you're never on your own!

When you go somewhere, whether it be to the pub, on a shopping trip, on a city break, on a holiday, or anywhere with friends or family, how likely are you to speak to other people? Even if you are like me (that annoying person that talks to people at the bus stop and in elevators) you are still more likely to stick with your own company than talk to others! Whereas if you are somewhere on your own, you are so much more likely to step out of that comfort zone (especially if you're an introvert!) and talk to people around you!

And where that opens up so many doors in terms of solo travel, is that when you open yourself up to talk to people, you can meet a whole range of amazing people - new friends, travellers and like-minded people with tips and places they've visited and recommend. But it also allows you to meet and connect with locals, and who better to be a tour guide, show you hidden gems and educate you on the culture and history of the place than somewhere from the location! Through being open-minded and connecting with people, I have found myself in some amazing scenarios!

Obviously, it goes without saying to be sensible, and keep your wits about you wherever you go; even though I hate to admit the sad reality, there are bad people everywhere. However, please don't let that put you off - there are a lot more good people in the world. Just be aware, be sensible, take precautions and trust your gut if something doesn't feel right. Travelling solo does make you more independent, and you start relying on yourself rather than other people to keep yourself safe. And independence isn't just a travel skill, its a life skill.

As if making new friends and connections isn't enough, it also gives you a chance to really get to know yourself - I know, how cliché! All jokes aside though, it allows you to really learn to enjoy your own company, and you can be the pioneer of your own plans and not have to think about anyone or anything else! It gives you the opportunity to take the time to give yourself the attention that you deserve! You will learn things about yourself, and probably surprise yourself!

If you have never travelled alone before, and want to but are too scared, or have never really considered it before, I really urge you to take the plunge! 

For a little taste of what it might be like, maybe start small; go for a meal alone, or visit a new town by yourself, or go to a museum solo! Get used to your own company, and enjoy it!

If you are ready to take that solo leap but still have a few reservations, book a busy hostel - they are full to the brim of fun, like-minded travellers from all over the world! They may be in the same boat as you, or seasoned travellers who can give you some tips and put you at ease. And the truth is, these people will probably end up becoming life-long friends - I know I have made many from my travels!

And if you're a 'glamper' and are worried about hostels, don't be - don't get me wrong, they are not going to be your 5* dream hotels, but they are 99.9% of the time safe, welcoming, in great locations, and come with company of like-minded people, as well as usually having social hours, local tour offers, discounts on drinks/food and are very low cost!

And did I mention it's FUN?!

So please do it! Say yes! Take the plunge! And let me know how you get on!

All the love,

Lucy x