What is Needed

Kenya needs more skilled veterinarians and wildlife advocates. Currently, there are only 14 wildlife veterinarians at the Kenya Wildlife Service supporting the entire country.

Companion animals in rural areas are rarely provided veterinary care when sick, nor given preventative vaccinations, which increases the probability of the spread of deadly diseases like rabies. In addition, many families are malnourished with their sole nutrition coming from their livestock (goats, chickens and cattle), which are often sick or dying from disease and drought.
a veterinarian examining a family's goat

Lack of access to veterinary care negatively impacts both animals and people. Sick livestock can transfer disease, like Brucellosis, to other livestock, wildlife and humans who come in contact with them.

What We Do

Vets International (VI) sees a future where vulnerable and endangered animal species can be protected, while communities thrive through compassionate veterinary care.

Kenya has lost 70% of its wildlife population since 1980. There are only 14 wildlife veterinarians at the Kenya Wildlife Service supporting the entire country. The lack of access to veterinary care negatively impacts both animals and people, as sick animals can potentially transmit diseases to other livestock, wildlife, and humans who come into contact with them.

In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, VI is deploying a mobile veterinary clinic that will provide access for veterinarians to care for wildlife, livestock, and companion animals. In addition, VI is working to increase the number of skilled veterinarians and wildlife advocates in Kenya through a multi-stakeholder partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the University of Nairobi Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Egerton University, the Laikipia County Government and Loisaba  Conservancy. Our program, targeting final-year veterinary students, will help ensure that graduates have a good understanding of One Health. Additionally, it provides essential training for those aspiring to work in wildlife medicine.

 
 
 
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Veterinary students are in desperate need of resources to provide skills and training. University of Nairobi’s veterinary students face a critical equipment shortage, relying on outdated tools, hampering experiential learning and depriving students and graduates of essential practical resources.

Teaching students to handle the animals with compassion and care will translate to the community. When animals go from being viewed as an object to being seen as a living, sentient being, they are safer for humans and humans are rewarded with a new sense of affinity and connection.

How You Can Help

We have laid a strong foundation but there is a lot more work to do to provide the University of Nairobi with equipment to expose students to modern diagnostic, enhance and support multiple Kenyan conservancies wildlife hospitals and rescue centers, fund a mobile veterinary clinic in Kenya for access to remote communities to rescue injured wildlife, provide basic medical aid, surgical services, disease prevention, and field training.

You can build on the progress that has been made with a donation that will help to continue and grow this important work.

Help us build a National Vet Training Program

Learn more about VI’s Vision