We send aid parcels every month to some of the world's most deprived areas - where even basic care is often lacking. In 2021, we sent 256 aid parcels with a total value of £178,893 and helped over 150 charities.
Earlier this year, we sent 115 boxes of probiotics to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary who are based in Sierra Leone, West Africa. The probiotics are given to the resident chimpanzees as one of the preventative measures to decrease the mortality and the morbidity of the epizootic neurological and gastroenteric syndrome (ENGS) that the Sanctuary deals with every dry season.
'Unfortunately here in Sierra Leone the cost of the probiotics is high, so in order to be able to provide probiotics to our resident chimps on a constant basis during the dry season, which is the period with more reported cases of ENGS, we needed help.
As the dry season was approaching, our call for help became urgent but fortunately for the resident chimps at the Sanctuary, the Worldwide Veterinary Service replied very fast and kindly attended to our request.
Thanks to the donation received, from the 2nd of March until the 8th of May the chimps of B group, Gorilla, New C and Old C groups (52 chimpanzees in total) received 1 capsule of probiotics (Bio-Kult™- Lactobacillus spp., Bacillus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.) per individual once a day along with other medications.
During the aforementioned period no chimpanzee was seen or reported to have any signs correspondent with the ENGS. Therefore the administration of probiotics along with the implementation of other actions seemed to have been effective in the prevention of the ENGS during the dry season in 2022.
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is truly grateful for the probiotics donation that the Worldwide Veterinary Service provided which without it, the execution of the preventative strategies for the ENGS would have been extremely costly and very difficult to carry out.’
- Statement from Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Delivering veterinary aid where it's needed most
We send around 90 aid parcels every month to some of the world's most deprived areas - where even basic care is often lacking.
We purchase critical equipment and supplies, as well as collect donated pet medicine to support non-profit organisations working to care for animals, wherever they are in the world.
All species, any condition, and every location – if we can help, we will. Find out more about donating unused pet medication here.
Need help? If you represent an NGO caring for animals and need assistance, we may be able to help. We can send tailored veterinary supplies to you, anywhere in the world, to support your vital work. Simply fill in this form, and we’ll be in touch. There’s no charge to ask for help, or for the support we provide.
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Shipping veterinary supplies is just one of the ways we support the health and welfare needs of animals. Visit WVS News to learn more about our work – everything from sending experts to remote locations to upskilling vets online and at our training centres.
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