Every year, Spay/Neuter Awareness Month takes place during the month of February to spotlight the importance of humane Animal Birth Control (ABC). In areas with large stray animal populations, spay/neuter programmes are a game-changer, resulting in fewer animals struggling to survive on the streets, a reduced spread of disease, and an overall improvement in not only animal health, but public health too.
In 2024, our global veterinary teams performed more than 33,000 sterilisation surgeries.
A crucial service for communities
In places where access to veterinary care is limited, domesticated animal populations often become out of control, leading to immense suffering for the animals, and a heightened risk of diseases spreading to other animals and people. In many of the places which we work, this includes rabies, a zoonotic virus which is 100% fatal once symptoms have developed. Through the delivery of Animal Birth Control and vaccination programmes, animals and their whole community benefit.
Project Spotlight: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Last year, alongside our Mission Rabies annual vaccination campaign, we launched a vital spay/neuter initiative in partnership with PPAWS, RUA, and Animal Rescue Cambodia. In Phnom Penh and surrounding areas, many owned dogs roam freely, leading to uncontrolled breeding and a pressing need for accessible sterilisation programmes.
During the campaign, the response from local communities was remarkable. After just one day of advertising the clinic, all appointments were fully booked for two weeks. Owners showed great care for their dogs and were willing to stay throughout the procedure and recovery. During the project, our dedicated team successfully operated on 212 dogs, while simultaneously addressing treatment cases in the field.
Demand for medical care far exceeded expectations. The Mission Rabies teams encountered numerous cases during their door-to-door visits, and further treatment hubs at other locations allowed us to extend our reach, treating 655 animals in total. Common issues like mange, tick fever, and skin conditions were addressed, while the sterilisation hub managed complex surgeries such as mass removals and amputations.
Transport for animals requiring hospitalisation or additional care was provided, ensuring even the most vulnerable pets received the help they needed. By visiting homes, it also allowed an opportunity to educate owners on accessing ongoing veterinary support. This initiative not only addressed immediate health needs but also laid the groundwork for sustainable improvements in animal welfare, underscoring the critical role of Animal Birth Control in creating healthier, safer communities.
Looking ahead: This year, our long-time partner Animal Rescue Cambodia (ARC) has officially become WVS Cambodia, and we are excited to be launching a new WVS International Training Centre (ITC) at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) campus. The existing ARC clinic will continue to deliver expert veterinary care, now as part of the WVS family.
Training to raise the standard of care
Through our International Training Centres (ITCs) and outreach projects, our continued personal development opportunities are helping to foster a new generation of compassionate and skilled veterinary professionals. Our programmes place a key emphasis on humane Animal Birth Control, disease prevention, and best practice in animal welfare.
Project Spotlight: Chandrapur, Nagpur, India
Towards the end of 2024, the WVS Veterinary Taskforce and PYAAR Foundation joined hands for an impactful three-week collaborative initiative aimed at tackling two critical issues: stray dog population control and rabies prevention. This collaboration brought together six veterinarians and six dedicated veterinary assistants for an intensive two-week training programme, followed by a week-long spay/neuter and vaccination drive where 156 dogs and 11 cats were spayed/neutered.
The training focused on equipping participants with advanced surgical techniques and best practices for efficient and humane Animal Birth Control (ABC) operations, while also emphasising the importance of disease prevention strategies. The students were introduced to key concepts of anaesthesia, analgesia, and surgical techniques through detailed lectures and live demonstrations of spay and neuter surgeries. These practical demonstrations provided valuable insights into the intricacies of sterilisation procedures, helping them gain a deeper understanding of both the technical and welfare aspects of veterinary surgery.
This initiative offered participants a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, equipping them with essential skills for their future careers.
“…I would like to thank WVS for the course which helped me to learn the ABC protocols and enhanced my surgical skills and knowledge. The course was well structured, and the lectures were very informative…” – Dr Taleb Uddin
Protecting habitats and endangered species
At many of our project locations, growing populations of domesticated species have become increasingly damaging to wildlife, spreading disease, overwhelming habitats, and disrupting ecosystems. Through humane Animal Birth Control programmes, we can help to reduce conflicts between wildlife, pets, and people.
Project spotlight: Ecuadorian Andes, South America
In the rural communities of the Ecuadorian Andes, we deliver regular outreach projects in collaboration with Fundación Cóndor Andino Ecuador (FCA) and Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). Together, we are working to tackle the growing conflict between domesticated species and wildlife, engage the community to prevent the harming of wildlife, and address the lack of veterinary intervention in this area. This includes protecting vulnerable species such as the Spectacled Bear, as well as improving the health and welfare of all animals living within these communities.
Through the delivery of humane Animal Birth Control, we can reduce disease, injuries, and conflicts associated with uncontrolled breeding and overpopulation. By collaborating with veterinary professionals and students in the performance of these procedures, we can ensure the surgeries are efficient and humane, and that these vital veterinary services can be continued. These campaigns also provide an excellent opportunity to collect data about the local animal populations. Through the provision of these much-needed veterinary services and by engaging with communities, conflict can be reduced, illegal hunting can be stopped, and natural habitats can be protected – benefiting both the animals and people who live there.
"Our outreach clinics provide local vets with the skills to keep companion animals healthy and prevent the spread of disease to wildlife. Whilst supporting the training of Ecuadorian vet students, we are providing access to vet care in remote mountain communities that would otherwise go without." - Luke Gamble, CEO and Founder, Worldwide Veterinary Service
You can help us provide care for even more animals globally
Together, we can make a real difference for animals and the communities they call home. Here are just a few great ways you can get involved to ensure more animals can access care around the world.
Donate
We are working to create a kinder world for animals around the world. Where every animal has access to veterinary care in their time of need, and we need your help to reach even more animals. Give a life-saving donation today.
Fundraise
Whether you lace up your running shoes or leap into the sky you will be helping to create a brighter future for animals around the world. Our fundraisers are vital in our mission, and we will be with you every step of the way. Get involved.
Volunteer
By volunteering you can ensure animals have access to the love and care they deserve. Most of our trips run all year round to our projects or to partner charities with lots of amazing destinations to choose from. Find out more.
