Visiting Veterinarians International

This amazing organization reaches countries desperately in need of veterinarian care. The fact that they have cared for the animals left behind in Chernobyl and have continued throughout the Ukrainian war goes above and beyond. They should be recognized for their courage and persistence during this time and every time.

I recently volunteered with this organization, providing five days of veterinary care in severely underserved areas of Belize. Services were all provided free of charge and included sterilization, vaccination and deworming, as well as testing and treatment of parasites in companion animals. The goal is to have a healthy population of pets, without unwanted litters contributing to animal overpopulation. Working with local organizations, the clinics were well attended and greatly appreciated. Veterinarians and technicians volunteer their services and pay their own way to the destination, which allows donations to go directly to the equipment and supplies needed to treat the animals. Volunteers are hard working, compassionate, dedicated individuals. I look forward to volunteering with them again to help provide necessary veterinary care.

I love working with Visiting Veterinarians International!! I have worked with them on spay/neuter clinics as an animal handler. Always a great group and a wonderful experience. I hope to work with them again.

I am a big supporter of Visting Veterinarians International.. They do an amazing job, traveling all over to help homeless pets. I wish this is something I could do but I can’t so I hope this monitoring means. I highly recommend them.

VVI is an amazing group of dedicated volunteers helping with spay/neuter needs across the globe. I have worked with Dr. Jennifer Betz and her team at two campaigns, Chernobyl, Ukraine, 2019, and the Marshall Islands (2020).

Check Charity Navigator and you will be disappointed to see how many “charities” spend the majority of their revenues on salaries and administrative costs. Visiting Veterinarians International is not one of those charities. Not only do their donations go to supporting the spay and neuter campaigns around the world, but many of their staff pay for expenses out of their own pockets. They live their mission statement… and then some. VVI staff members carry out their mission at personal sacrifice. Just check out the places they go to help animals and you’ll see the time they sacrifice just to carry out their missions. I am personally aware of the founder of VVI, and I know the depth of her commitment. This is an organization that leaves the world better than they found it.

Первая встреча произошла с представителями организации Visiting Veterinarians International «Собаки Чернобыля» на Чернобыльской АЭС, когда я там работал в отделе физической защиты. Я сопровождал их на охраняемую территорию, когда они занимались стерилизацией собак. Они показали себя в первую очередь как люди, которые любят собак, кошек и животных. За один заезд в Чернобыльскую зону, ЧАЭС и г. Славутич врачи стерилизовали и оказали помощь более 1000 собак и наверное около 300 кошкам. Жители г. Славутич, г. Чернобыль, ЧАЭС благодарны представителям организации Visiting Veterinarians International за оказание помощи животным в Чернобыльской зоне. Даже сейчас, во время войны с Россией, представители этой организации приезжали к нам и оказывали помощь едой и лекарствами для животных в Чернобыльской зоне, г. Славутич и г. Чернигове. Мы благодарны им и ждем их следующего приезда весной 2023г.
The first meeting took place with representatives of visiting Veterinarians International "Dogs of Chernobyl" at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, when I worked there in the physical protection department. I accompanied them to the protected area as they sterilized the dogs. They showed themselves primarily as people who love dogs, cats and animals. During one visit to the Chernobyl zone, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the city of Slavutych, doctors sterilized and provided assistance to more than 1,000 dogs and probably about 300 cats. Residents of Slavutich, Chernobyl, Chernobyl are grateful to representatives of the organization Visiting Veterinarians International for providing assistance to animals in the Chernobyl zone. Even now, during the war with Russia, representatives of this organization came to us and provided assistance with food and medicines for animals in the Chernobyl zone, Slavutych and Chernihiv. We are grateful to them and look forward to their next arrival in the spring of 2023.

This organization is great. They have come to Belize for several years now to help the pets in Belize. We are grateful.

Here is a group of animal welfare professionals donating their time and personal funds to travel to remote places and help care for animals in much need of medical attention. This is pure and true altruism at its finest.

Bula, from Fiji Islands. I had been one of the receipient of the great VVI team to spay my puppy, Lunar. It was such an happy news for us residing in Fiji as majority are unable to fund for animal operations. But VVI made it so easy for us. We would struggle everyday trying to collect money so that puppies are spayed as in Fiji it was never done for free, $40-$80 are charged for service. Iam so great ful for the amazing job done by VVI team. This bunch of members has gained alot of blessings as they were able to help more than 400 puppies. Looking forward in meeting this team in future. Their work ethics inspired me to be a Veternary doc myself.
Ashwik
Fiji Islands
+679 8307840

VVI is dedicated to helping animals all over the world. With their free campaigns, they help reduce overpopulation of animals in 3rd world countries, as well as giving much needed preventative medicine to those who cannot get access to it. All of the board members and volunteers are dedicated and passionate about helping animals and truly love what they do.

I love this group and love the work we do. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of an organization that truly promotes pet health and welfare. I look forward to our future campaigns!!!

Dr Andrea Klepzig

I am extremely proud of this organization. I have been working with Dr Betz on spay/neuter campaigns since 2011. Now together with the board members and the amazing volunteers, VVI strives to give the best quality of care to animals in need. VVI not only provides surgeries but also assist with education, treating certain ailments, and vaccinations. I proud of the hard work everyone puts forth during these campaigns.

By absolute chance I found this organization and it changed my appreciation for veterinary medicine! I was brought on to volunteer recovering patients after surgery but by chance they needed more vets and I was in my final year of vet school. Dr Betz taught me everything I know about spay and neuter surgeries. The team was always supportive and overall a really happy group of people. We had tons of fun and it made the really long days go by in a flash. They offered extremely high quality medicine in areas that sometimes didn't even have running water. It was so great I came beck for more the following year.
A great group of people doing amazing work.

I worked with Dr. Betz on a spay/neuter clinic. I met some pretty generous and wonderful people. The team really showed their caring hearts and love that they have for all animals. It was an honor to meet and work with such a great set of people.

I have worked with Dr. Betz on 4 different spay/neuter projects. All of the campaigns were very professionally run. The highest emphasis was paid towards animal welfare and safety. The volunteers were also very well cared for with nice accommodations and food provided. Dr. Betz is an excellent teacher who always took the time and effort to make sure all the volunteers felt welcome and supported. I would like to do more projects with Visiting Veterinarians International.

My trip with this group was phenomenal. It is always a little bit of a worry that your standards will not align as far as veterinary care in less than ideal situations and when resources have to be conserved to the highest degree. I was so relieved that analgesia, patient care, and the human animal bond were high priority and expenses were not spared to ensure these standards were met. I would volunteer with this group any time. The board members and the teams they assemble are unbelievable.

Visiting Veterinarians International does work for the people and animals of small nations that is close to my heart. As a donor it’s important to me that my financial contributions are used to further the care and wellbeing of the animals. This organization does just that, reading the stories of their adventures and work reaffirms for me that I have donated my limited funds wisely. I look forward to their next campaign and the awesome impact they will have on the local communities!

I was lucky enough to work with Dr. Betz which is how I learned about this organization. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of something so great. Her motivation and ability to bring so many people together for a common goal was what most impressed me. Her leadership and professionalism made for a seamless process and easy flow in a crazy fun hard working environment.

I went to the Marshall Islands as a volunteer in a high volume spay/neuter clinic. It was amazing. The best experience you could ask for. Dr. Betz was amazing. I would jump on any team she was on. She was professional, knowledgeable and caring.

Dr. Betz is an amazing leader in this field and her organization, Visiting Veterinarians International, has helped so many animals lead healthier, higher quality lives because of their hard work & tireless efforts. I learned a lot working with Dr. Betz and the medicine practiced by this group is of the highest quality. These are caring, motivated people doing great things for people and animals. They are literally changing lives through their work on their campaigns in different locations. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Dr Betz and her outstanding group.

Six years ago, I began began volunteering with Drs. Betz and Britt. I have been lucky enough to have gone on 4 more projects with them. As with most others involved, I do these projects because there is a huge unmet need in many areas of the world and, as a veterinarian, I feel an obligation to help to improve the situation of the animals and their families in any way I am able. I do it with VVI because I personally see the efforts Drs Betz, Britt, Klepzig and Mousseau put into the organization. The months of planning, the inevitable troubleshooting, the group management, the stretching of every dime and donation in the budget to address as many patients as possible is both impressive and exhausting just to watch. The volunteers are treated like family, the owners with compassion and the animals like they are the only patient there. Enough good things cannot be said of the organization, the leadership or the people that participate.

Our Humane Society in Punta Gorda, Belize has been working with Dr. Betz and Visiting Veterinarians International over the last several years. Together we have organized 3 spay and neuter clinics here in the little town of Punta Gorda, Belize. Another one was planned but put on hold due to the Covid pandemic. Dr. Betz and her team, typically consists of 4 or 5 vets and about 10 vet technicians and other volunteers from the US. Quite a few of the participants have been back more than once - they are skilled, professional and compassionate people who enjoy the leadership of Dr. Betz who creates an exciting, professional and very friendly atmosphere. Both the vet team, the local volunteers and the clients appreciate their work and the experience very much. And she cooperates well with the local Belizean vet, their mutual respect for each other is obvious and Dr. Bennett clearly enjoys both the working environment and the camaraderie of working with the US team.

Punta Gorda Humane Society is located in one of the least developed areas of Belize where there is no practicing vet. The Humane Society therefore organizes monthly clinics with Dr. Bennett (who travels 250 miles by road to attend). Fundraising is difficult so we operate on a very low budget. Clinics are held in a community center and the clients have to pay for the vet's services. Being able to hold a free annual clinic has meant a lot for our community. Where, pets (including street dogs) can be spayed or neutered independent upon their owner's financial status and also the clinics have a high educational value. The rest of the year Dr. Betz is always available with advice whenever needed! For a community that is lacking in veterinary care this has tremendous value! Dr. Betz is a true pioneer she sold her vet business and is now travelling the world helping pets and people! I have nothing but admiration, gratitude and respect for this powerhouse of a woman!

I was fortunate to help during VVI’s Marshall Islands campaign. What a great organization led by kind, brilliant, generous folks. I hope to do more work with them in the future.

Working with Dr. Betz and the folks of VVI was my first experience working in a high volume spay/neuter clinic and it was eye opening! I have never worked with such a tireless group of individuals that all had the same goal in mind - helping animals in need. Everyone helped out a newbie like me and made me feel welcome and a part of the team. Their dedication to the animals and professionalism daily was evident in everything they did. I cannot wait to join them again and am excited to learn more from them in the future!

I had the pleasure of working with this group in January 2020 in the Marshall Islands. All medical aspects were upheld to high standard with the focus to improve the lives of animals in the island community. I look forward to joining them again in the future.

Dr. Betz is nothing short of amazing! She is dedicated, tireless and possesses a can do attitude that is essential to this type of work and as a veterinarian her skills are unmatched and as a former owner of a large practice she is skilled at managing people in complex environments!

Fabulous people doing important work internationally. I'm an RN for humans and also a veteran, and I've helped Dr Betz plan and pack supplies for a few missions overseas. I trusted her with the care of my own pets and fully support the work she and other VVI staff do internationally.

I have never worked with more passionate people than the people of Visiting Veterinarians International! They go above & beyond even in situations where they may not have many resources. If you are looking to support a great non-profit with passionate folks who truly care about the health and life of every animal no matter the location or circumstances, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with Visiting Veterinarians International.

Having worked with the founder and board members of VVI, I can personally confirm not only is the non-profit directly helping local animal and human populations, but they also are supporting and encouraging the next generation of animal welfare professionals. Couldn't rate them highly enough. Extraordinary people doing extraordinary work.

Visiting Veterinarians International was my first overseas volunteer experience. They are an amazing organization. Very well run. The administrators were as concerned about the welfare of our patients as they were about the team. No corners were cut. Medicine practiced was as good as any spay neuter operation in the US. I would gladly volunteer with this group again.

I am very proud of this organization. They have the animals and the community at heart. they strive hard to provide the best care they can with the conditions they have in each location. Their goal is to help as many animals as they can by providing veterinary care across the globe.