At WVS we work at the frontline of animal welfare, providing free expert veterinary care to animals all over the world. We believe that every single animal, no matter how big or small, or where they are all in the world, deserves access to care in their time of need. Our expert team go above and beyond to provide every animal with the best treatment possible.
Saving Shrek
Our partners at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) alerted our team in Malawi to a pelican that was found sick and unable to fly. When he arrived at the clinic, the team discovered that he was weak and dehydrated. An examination revealed a right-wing soft tissue injury. After some immediate care, the team decided to transport him to Majete Wildlife Reserve. We have a veterinary care centre based in the reserve with a purpose-built aviary, working alongside African Parks Majete. The pelican, affectionately named Shrek by our team, had his own pond and space to recover in the aviary.
After a few weeks of dedicated care and rehabilitation, he demonstrated that he was ready to be returned to the wild. We released Shrek into an elephant marsh, which provides an ideal wetland habitat with an abundance of food, resources, and space for him to thrive – his very own ‘swamp’ to call home. We are thankful to our partners DNPW for alerting us to this case and that Shrek was able to receive the crucial care he needed.
Emergency care for a langur
At our clinic, WVS Hope in Ranchi, India, we received an unusual patient - a langur with a life-threatening injury. The patient had suffered a deep neck wound from a dog attack – due to the severity and location of the injury this was treated as an emergency. The langur was immediately sedated, examined and stabilised. Surgery was needed to close the wound which went well, and the langur recovered without any complications. After supportive care and careful monitoring, the patient was well enough to be handed to the Forest Department for further care and rehabilitation. We are hopeful that with some dedicated rehabilitation this langur can be released back into the wild.
Snake rescue
Our team in Malawi cared for a truly extraordinary patient, a three-metre rock python. The team were informed about the python which had been trapped inside a termite mound for some time. He was transported to our clinic in Blantyre and an initial examination revealed that the snake was underweight and dehydrated. The team affectionately named him Snowball. We provided careful treatment for Snowball, including anaesthesia for safe handling, fluid therapy, antibiotics, parasite treatment, and assisted feeding. Snowball gradually regained strength and his health improved thanks to our expert team. After a few weeks the team released him in Liwonde National Park, where he now has the space and protection he needs to thrive back in his natural habitat.
Tiny triumph
The team at WVS Hicks in Goa, India, received a very tiny patient that was in urgent need of care – a squirrel that had been rescued from a cat attack. The first step was to stabilise her as she was very shaken and scared when she arrived at the clinic. It was decided to complete X-rays to check for any injuries and it was discovered that she had a fracture in her left forelimb. The team had to improvise with bandaging this tiny patient – making a split bandage using cotton buds to heal her injury. The patient, who was named Thea, also received pain management, rest and nutritious food while her injury healed. Thankfully, she recovered well and grew stronger by the day. As she healed, her personality came out, she was scampering, climbing and stealing hearts at the clinic. Once she was fully recovered, the team released her back into the wild. A wonderful outcome thanks to veterinary care.
Help us ensure more animals can receive vital care
Every animal deserves access to care in their time of need, and you can help make this happen. Provide a life-saving donation, sign up for a running event or challenge, or join us on a volunteering adventure. Anyway you are able to support will make a big difference for animals in need.