The Relief Volunteer Veterinary Clinic was February 11th to 14th and 17th to 21st 2020. This relief clinic provided life saving procedures and care. With 192 dog and cat spays/neuters, six other surgeries and 67 health checks, we are beyond proud of the team of veterinarians and vet techs that volunteered their time. Coconut Mutts sponsored two volunteer veterinarians: Dr. Kristen Jensen (former territorial veterinarian); Dr. Brett Grover (Coconut Mutts’ 2019 volunteer veterinarian); and two volunteer veterinary technicians Angela Elia and Becky Wade. Storms plagued the island for the majority of this program. In spite of this, clinic staff and volunteers were able to treat and help dozens of animals. We are honored to work with individuals and communities who give so much of themselves to helping the animals while facing huge obstacles.All our veterinarian volunteers flew from the mainland to spend two weeks volunteering their time, skills and hearts to help the islands’ animals. Services they provided include:
- Spay and neuter surgeries
- Vaccinations
- Parasite treatments
- Health checks
- Treatment of sick animals
- Mange treatments
The islands currently do not have a small animal veterinarian. The single veterinary clinic has been operating with minimal supplies and, while the staff is sacrificing so much to help the thousands of dogs and cats in the islands, help is desperately needed. Donations can be made through our website HERE.
Coconut Mutts was launched in 2016 and each year the donations have helped all programs, including our 2017 Remote Island Veterinary Clinic in the Manu’a Islands, the Healthy Pets, Healthy Island Program in 2018 and Volunteer Veterinarian Program in June 2019.
Continue reading for more information about our June 2019 Volunteer Veterinarian Program:
In 2019, thanks to a grant from the Banfield Foundation and donation from our communities around the world, Coconut Mutts was able to sponsor Dr. Bret Grover on a spay neuter project to American Samoa in June 2019. We had many requests from the territory to for aid. The islands have been without a veterinarian since Dr. Kristen left the island in early 2019 and there is uncertainty surrounding when the position will be filled. We’ve received several pleas from pet owners and animal advocates for help. Their stories are heartbreaking. To be frank, animals are suffering. We sought a veterinarian with both US and DEA licenses.
Dr. Bret offered spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and needed medical care to the pets of Tutuila. This project was in cooperation and with the help of the staff of the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Clinic. The Banfield Foundation graciously helped us purchase medical supplies. We hope this will be the first of many sponsored veterinary assistance trips for the territory. We continue to work to improve the future of animal welfare in American Samoa. Dr. Bret and the team performed nearly 200 SURGERIES!!! These life saving, life changing surgeries would not be possible without the support of the American Samoa community. Thank to all who helped and supported Dr. Bret and the team as we all try to provide some relief for the islands’ Coconut Mutts. We would like thank all our donors, the incredible response and support we received from the online community and, most of all, the community of American Samoa for welcoming Dr. Bret and supporting the Volunteer Veterinary Program. Donations are appreciated!! For questions about appointments, please call the Veterinary Clinic at 684-699-9445.
Coconut Mutts 