Free Veterinary Care – Under served areas in the USA

Thousands of people in the United States are not able to provide basic veterinary care for their pets. Not because they are unwilling, but because they live in extremely rural areas and the nearest veterinarian is hundreds of miles away. In particular, American Indian reservations in the United States are often the most secluded as well as destitute. In order to mitigate these circumstances, veterinarians and veterinary students volunteer their time, forgoing ameneties such as regular showers and sleep to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and treat thousands of animals in these communities at no cost to the owners. Two years ago, I did the same trip to two American Indian reservations in Mendicino County, California. Our contribution had an immeasurable effect on not only the animals of Hoopa and Covelo tribes, but also their owners, who for the first time felt as if they were able to properly care of their pets. 

The Sisseton Wahpeton tribe in Spirit Lake, North Dakota is one such Indian Reservation. From May 18th to the 25th, a group of volunteers, me being one of them, will serve their community. Being a volunteer position, I am required to provide my own transportation fees (from Raleigh, North Carolina). Any small donation would be hugely generous and immensely beneficial in allowing me to do as much as possible for a community in need. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Nidhi Menon