Introducing Worldwide Veterinary Service in Goa

Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) is a UK-registered charity, helping animals in places where no one else can in India and around the globe.

As well as offering free care to animals in need, WVS also runs three International Training Centres, one of which is in Goa. Vets, veterinary nurses and students from all around the world, including the UK, get hands-on training while the animals get free veterinary care.

The charity was founded in 2003 by Luke Gamble, a vet from the West Country. Realising many animal charities and sanctuaries lack the veterinary resources they need, due to the expense and lack of availability in the countries in which they are based, Luke set up an organisation that could pool veterinary resources and direct them to assist animal charities and non-profit organisations throughout the world. One such charity that has benefited from the work of WVS is The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, a charity that our sister company, The Gambia Experience, has supported for many years.

Above: Mermaid the dog, who broke all four legs in a car accident

15 years on, the charity treats around 150,000 animals, trains some 650 vets and sends out nearly 1,000 veterinary aid parcels each year, and so much more besides. A staggering achievement.

Above: WVS CEO and founder, Luke Gamble

 

"Luke Gamble is a West Country treasure…like Dr Doolittle, but real!" - Martin Clunes

 

Refurbishing the International Training Centre in Goa

From their training centre in Bardez, Goa, the WVS team trains local vets to improve animal welfare and veterinary care throughout the country. They'll soon be launching a campaign to raise the funds to fully refurbish the centre, enabling WVS to train more vets and treat more animals.

Above: dog treated at the WVS clinic in Goa

“We really appreciate the support of Goa Experience in this campaign. Raising the funds to build the op theatre will make a transformational difference to the animals of Goa that come through our doors. We annually vaccinate over 94,000 dogs in the State and sterilise/treat over 12,000 so the demand for our services is huge. Having the facilities to be able to do more would be an amazing boost to the whole team.” Dr Luke Gamble, CEO & Founder WVS

 

How can you help?

There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering to donating and fundraising. Volunteer opportunities are available to vets and veterinary nurses as well as people with no prior experience. If you live anywhere near Cranborne in Dorset, you could pop by the WVS second-hand charity bookshop. Alternatively visit their online shop.

You can find out more about fundraising, make a donation and sign-up for the WVS newsletter on their website, WVS.org.uk (scroll to the bottom of their page). More information about volunteering can be found here.