A Day in the Life of a Vet on the Gili Islands

Animal Rescues, Cute Kittens, and Cat-astrophes!

Welcome to the Gili Islands: Where Cats Rule

The Gili Islands in Indonesia are a tiny archipelago, accessible only by boat, where cats roam the sandy streets. Dr. Alison, a slightly cat-crazy veterinarian from New Zealand, and her intrepid husband Graham, assist the local vet clinic, Luni Lombok, an animal charity dedicated to caring for the strays and street cats. Together, they make a difference for all the animals on islands where a cat ambulance and public transport are unlike anything you’ve seen before!

Today, we’re on Gili Meno, one island away from the Luni Lombok vet clinic. The cats here need care too, so we’ve brought cages, tables, surgical supplies, and medications for a week-long pop-up clinic.

TNR Clinic: Managing a Stray Population

Hundreds of cats on Gili Meno face overpopulation without neutering. Our TNR (trap neuter return) clinic is a humane solution. A team of cat catchers brings cats to the clinic in cages on the back of bicycles! Each cat, whether a friendly ‘Cupcake’ or a grumpy ‘Chili’, is desexed and also receives vaccinations, and treatment for wounds or parasites. We ensure all surgical patients are comfortable and manage any complications.

After a busy morning desexing more than 14 cats, we enjoy lunch from a local warung, delivered by bike. We then check some kittens who face concerns about panleukopenia, a contagious virus causing vomiting and diarrhea. Vaccination is crucial, as seen in New Zealand, where this disease is rare thanks to widespread vaccination practices.

Patient Stories: Siro and Moritz

We meet Siro, a white cat with a severe skin infection, and later, his best friend Moritz. Siro, diagnosed with Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome, was in such distress with a condition causing him to continuously claw at his face. Now he begins treatment for a better life and makes a miraculous recovery. His musical purr and antics chasing Moritz around the clinic was a truly heartwarming thing to be a part of. He has even become the new clinic manager, after being adopted by the Luni Lombok clinic who wanted to ensure he had ongoing treatment and care. Now he just needs to grow back the fur we had to shave!!

Reflections at Sunset

As the day ends, we reflect on the fulfillment of helping Gili Meno’s cats. Volunteering creates a significant impact on the lives of animals and people, fostering lifelong friendships.

Vet Around The World is on a mission to bring veterinary care to pets (and people) who struggle to access a vet because of limited finances or resources.

YOU Can Help Too…simply head to our You Tube channel and watch some videos, we are trying to build our channel so that we ear enough money from our videos to continue volunteering for animal charities. Even more help is to like, and subscribe and comment on the videos!

Subscribe to our newsletter, and follow our You Tube channel for more adventures - you do not want to miss the upcoming Gili Trewangan episode where we care for a kitten injured by a falling coconut, and encounter some strange looking creatures that seem to be half badger and half cat…

Dr. Alison, a slightly cat-crazy veterinarian from New Zealand, and her intrepid husband Graham, assist the local vet clinic, Luni Lombok, an animal charity dedicated to caring for the strays and street cats. Together, they make a difference for all the animals on islands where a cat ambulance and public transport are unlike anything you’ve seen before!

Heartwarming Animal Rescue Stories…

A Sailor’s Journey: From World Traveller to Animal Rescuer

Hello, fellow animal lovers and adventurers! Today, I want to share with you an inspiring story that touched my heart. It’s about a man named Paulo, a sailor who gave up his life of sailing around the world to help people and animals in need.

A tail of waves and whiskers…

Paulo’s journey began on his sailboat, single-handedly sailing around the world. His travels took him to Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon, Kiribas, and Tuvalu. During his visits, he would often go ashore at the crack of dawn to provide food and medicine for dogs and cats suffering from mange. But he noticed that once he left, these animals would return to their previous lives, with no one to care for them.

Despite living on a boat, Paulo never kept pets on board due to strict quarantine restrictions in countries like New Zealand and Australia. However, he deeply regretted this decision when he started rescuing animals. The first two he rescued went on board with him, and they gave him so much love and affection that he wished he had brought pets on board sooner.

His sailing journey eventually led him to a special place – Coron Island in the Philippines – where he decided to stay. This decision marked a significant change in his life, but it also gave him the opportunity to help in a more substantial way.

In Coron, Paulo built a houseboat to live in while not sailing. The houseboat, named Paolyn Houseboats, became so popular among friends and family that it turned into a thriving business. Paulo employed people from the local Tagbanua Tribe, providing them with job opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

But Paulo’s love for animals didn’t stop there. He adores cats and has ten of them living with him on the houseboat. He even shares his bed with them! Paulo has also rescued several cats and dogs from the streets, providing them with the medical care they desperately needed.

No vet near me!

Unfortunately, veterinary services are almost nonexistent on Coron Island. The nearest veterinary clinic is more than four hours away by ferry. Paulo has been fortunate to receive support from two veterinarians from Manila who were visiting as guests. They continue to assist him remotely, providing advice and guidance.

Despite these challenges, Paulo remains dedicated to helping the animals of Coron. He has even built a shelter, Paulo and April’s Rescue Center, where animals can run, play, and receive care. He also helps pet owners who can’t afford medical treatment for their pets.

However, without an adoption program, the shelter remains full, limiting the number of animals that can be helped. Paulo dreams of setting up an international adoption program, but the logistics are challenging. It’s almost impossible to find an airline that will allow animals to travel by air within the Philippines, even in cargo.

Despite these obstacles, Paulo remains hopeful and continues to do what he can to help the animals of Coron. His story is a testament to the power of love and compassion, and it serves as a reminder that we can all make a difference in our own way.

Paulo has inspired me to continue pursuing my dream for providing veterinary care to those animals and pet carers who need it both!

Check out our You Tube episode for the full story