Send Mary to volunteer at Free Spay/Neuter Clinic

Mary Destri Start Date: Feb 17, 2014 - End Date: Mar 12, 2014
  • White Mountain, Arizona

My Travel Story

by: Mary Destri Start Date: Feb 17, 2014 - End Date: Mar 12, 2014

Hello family, friends and animal lovers,

I am excited to announce that I will spend one week in March volunteering at the HSVMA RAVS (Humane Society Veterinary Medical Associations's Rural Area Veterinary Services) free spay/neuter clinic on an Apache Native American reservation in eastern Arizona! This region has virtually no veterinary services, and has a major problem with homeless dogs, due to a historical lack of spay/neuter services.

I will be part of a team of several dozen volunteers, including veterinarians, vet techs, vet students, and intake volunteers who will staff this 5-day clinic.

Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in the US alone each year, and spay/neuter is the only humane solution to this problem.

My long-term goal is to establish annual clinics such as this in Costa Rica, which has one million homeless dogs living on the streets.

Thank you for considering funding my trip, and please watch the video ~ it explains more than I ever could.

  • White Mountain, Arizona

Updates

2

  • Recap

    Recap

    OK, the trip was AMAZING!!! Our group did nearly 250 surgeries, including a hind leg amputation on a dog that had been hit by a car and an eyeball removal. Most of the remainder were dog spays.



    Although it felt like a HUGE step toward eliminating the stray dog problem in Whiteriver, there is still a long way to go. And sadly, there were several puppies with Parvo, some who survived the week, and some who didn't.
    The people of Whiteriver were really great! Although some of the dogs had never been in a vehicle or in a building before, it was clear that the families really care about their dogs.

  • You Guys All Rock!!!

    OK, a HUGE thank you to Delia, Sal and Stacey for getting me past the 20% mark! Your support is so very appreciated by me and my group, not to mention the hundreds of dogs, cats and their human companions who will be helped by this trip!

    Another HUGE shout-out to everyone who sent me the most encouraging, sweet e-mails sending me good wishes on my trip. It means the world to me!!

    Please check out  http://www.hsvma.org/ravs_blog_white_mountain_2013?utm_source=ip041513&utm_medium=hsvmaweb&utm_campaign=ravs13#.Uw7GBc7hfKo from one of last year's volunteers on this trip. I am hoping to meet Jinx, and if I do, you can be sure there will be a photo of her and me on this site!


    <3
    Mary

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