Can You Do Something Extraordinary to Support Your Profession and Local Communities Across the Uk?
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CAN YOU DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY TO SUPPORT YOUR PROFESSION AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UK? I have been volunteering with StreetVet since September 2017. Whilst locuming, I found myself feeling as though I was working to live and no longer feeling the enjoyment and reward that being a Vet I have been volunteering for StreetVet for 18 months Nurse had given me. I got in contact with Jade and and it is the most incredible thing I have ever been started out in the Watford outreach every Thursday. involved in with my career. It is a privilege to be able StreetVet has reignited my passion for nursing, and to share my time, love, and skills with people who the rewards of helping those less fortunate than the wouldn’t otherwise have access to veterinary care for majority of us is humbling and emotional. Now, as an their much loved animals. important part of both an IVC practice and StreetVet, I have the passion and drive not only to work harder, but to seek new and better ways to help clients and Rebecca Castle at The Wheelhouse Veterinary patients of both organisations. The best thing I have Centre. done in recent history is sending that email to Jade. Chris Rossiter, Head Nurse at Alcombe Vets Ealing. www.streetvet.co.uk info@streetvet. facebook.com/streetvet Registered Charity No: 1181527 StreetVet is a charity and RCVS registered practice offering free accessible vet care to the homeless and their pets. We are currently established in 15 locations across the U.K. where we offer regular drop in ‘street clinics’ and out of hours care. In these locations we try to do as much as possible from our backpacks but sometimes a referral for hospitalisation or procedures into a local practice is required. So far we have received incredible support from the pharmaceutical industry with MSD, Dechra, CEVA and Animalcare offering free ongoing medical supplies for which we are hugely grateful. However, as the charity expands to new locations we are in need of even more assistance with our work. HOW CAN YOUR COMPANY HELP? 1. Provide Pharmaceutical Products to StreetVet Our work comprises largely of treating minor ailments, chronic disease and of preventative medicine. We try whenever possible to treat patients on the street without the disruption and stress of hospitalisation although sometimes this cannot be avoided. Our largest requirement is for NSAIDs, antibiotics, eye, skin and ear treatments. So far we have been fortunate to secure a supply of eye and ear treatments. We are also provided with ongoing vaccinations, microchips and anti-parasitic treatments. However, in order to provide individual patient care, we do occasionally require alternative antiparasitics for specific cases and we may require further support with these products in future. Each of our StreetVet locations is run as an independent RCVS-registered veterinary practice. Our StreetVet practices strictly adhere to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations and therefore can only use drugs supplied through a wholesaler or directly from a pharmaceutical company. Companies have so far supported us by providing pro bono, discounted or short-dated stock on an ad-hoc or regular basis. If this is something that you would be interested in discussing further please do contact us. Photographer: Robin Trow www.streetvet.co.uk [email protected] facebook.com/streetvet Registered Charity No: 1181527 2. Offer Volunteers in Established Outreach Locations Please spread the word that StreetVet is always looking for volunteers in our current outreach locations: London Cornwall Bristol Swindon Brighton Lincoln Birmingham Glasgow Cambridge Gloucester Plymouth Peterborough Exeter Southampton Reading Bournemouth Swansea Getting involved is a great way to network with other professionals in the local area and can be extremely fulfilling and fun. We ask volunteers to contribute just 2 hours a month although this is relatively flexible. We require that all volunteers are RCVS-Registered Veterinary Surgeons or RCVS-Registered Veterinary Nurses. We also require that all volunteers are covered by professional indemnity insurance either as an individual or via their regular workplace. In cases where volunteers do not already have insurance, the local StreetVet outreach team will provide this for team members. The sign up process is very simple and you will be quickly welcomed into the StreetVet family. If you are in an area with no active StreetVet team and you feel there is the need for one, please contact us at [email protected]. We are very keen to hear from vets and nurses who are interested in setting up teams in new locations. 3. Fundraising We are extremely grateful to all those companies that have chosen to fundraise for StreetVet as their chosen charity for the year or at one-off charity events. Without our fundraisers and supporters our valuable work would not be possible. Donating is easy via our website or following this link: https://www.goldengiving.com/wall/streetvet Do let us know in advance about your event so that we can spread the word and let people know what an amazing job you are doing! A StreetVet fundraising kit can be sent out to your company on request. www.streetvet.co.uk [email protected] facebook.com/streetvet Registered Charity No: 1181527 Companies working with StreetVet have received a fantastic response from their fellow professionals and the general public who really engage in the concept of giving something back to their local communities. In a time when the veterinary and pharmaceutical industries are exposed to such criticism, it is great to remind the public that we are people who care and want to make a difference. StreetVet are always keen to promote those companies that support us on all our available social media platforms. Photographer: Robin Trow StreetVet could not have grown and reached so many homeless owners and their pets without the overwhelming support of your industry. We look forward to hearing from you and working together in the future. Best wishes, Jade, Sam, and the StreetVet Team FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST, PLEASE EMAIL OUR TEAM : [email protected] www.streetvet.co.uk [email protected] facebook.com/streetvet Registered Charity No: 1181527.