Violet was a sweet, older dog found wandering the streets of Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. Violet had tumors, parasites, and an eye infection, and she hadn’t been spayed. The closest veterinarian was many miles away. Even if they could get her there, the care the dog needed was much more than her rescuers could afford. Yet this story has a happy ending. Luckily for Violet, RAVS (Rural Area Veterinary Services) was visiting the reservation.

Staff in the RAVS clinic spayed Violet, removed the tumors, and sent her home with medication—all for free. When the family returned for Violet, there was a happy reunion. “Violet got to go home and live a really great doggy life,” says Windi Wojdak, program manager for RAVS. “It wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t there.”

Raves for RAVS
A program of The Humane Society of the United States, RAVS brings free veterinary services where they are needed most. (View a video here!) They visit poor and remote communities around the globe where veterinary care isn’t available. Veterinarians, technicians, and veterinary school volunteers work side by side treating animals. The vet students provide a needed service while learning valuable skills. Without RAVS and its volunteers, the animals would go without health care.

When RAVS rolls into town, people line up with their pets. Many have traveled for miles—sometimes on foot—to get there. RAVS staff works from dawn until dark giving animals checkups, shots, and medication. They even perform surgeries. The most important surgeries? Spaying and neutering pets. RAVS staff know that there are already too many pets without homes, especially in the poor areas they visit. Performing those operations will keep more homeless pets from being born.

And RAVS isn’t just about helping cats and dogs! Horses, donkeys, goats, ducks, turtles, and many other animals are among the thousands of animals RAVS treats each year.

Teaching Others to Care
So, after all the animals have been treated, is it time for RAVS to pack up and leave? Not quite! First, RAVS staff teach local people how to be responsible pet caregivers. They give lessons to children and adults on animal care, dog bite prevention, disease prevention, and the benefits of spaying and neutering. “We encourage people to give a different level of care to their animals,” says Wojdak.

Start at Home
Maybe you’re not ready to become a RAVS volunteer−just yet. Don’t worry! “There is always something you can do to make life better for animals in your community,” continues Wojdak. “Sometimes it’s convincing your neighbor to take his or her pet in for care. Or it could be as simple as walking a neighbor’s dog.” Most important? Set a good example. Be a responsible pet caregiver. Treat your pets with kindness. Take them for regular checkups. Have pets spayed or neutered—and encourage others to do the same!

You can help RAVS help pets! Hold a collection in your school or community. Ask for donations of leashes and collars. (Click here for a sample flyer to hand out.)

Send what you collect to:

KIND News
RAVS Project
67 Norwich-Essex Turnpike
East Haddam, CT 06423

We’ll see that RAVS receives them!