Annual Report 2005-2006

Board members elected:  Dr Duane Schaad, Dr Marguerite Pennel, Dr Sandy C'Alves, Dr Joi Sutton, Attorney Robert Callahan, Amber Holland.  All members have prior volunteer veterinary experience.

Joi Sutton was elected president.

Sandy C'Alves elected logistics/secretary officer.

Amber Holland elected treasurer.

Amber Holland set up our website:  VeterinaryVentures.com

At onset of nonprofit organization, we were still in search of a locale to provide veterinary work.  We had the mission statement of "Bringing humane veterinary care to the animals of the world".  Our preferred patients will be animals in 3rd world regions where there is no veterinary care available and to educate the locals in humane methods of population control.  It was agreed that none of our volunteers will receive any sort of monetary compensations.  We will each provide our own transportation to the spay/neuter campaigns, keeping the donations to go 100% to the goal of desexing the animals.

We received 501(c)(3) status in June, 2005.  Robert Callahan did the necessary legal paperwork to attain such status.  He also set up a bank account at West Coast Bank.  Accountant Karen Disciascio has agreed to do our books.

In May, 2005 we began communication with the Humane Society of American Samoa regarding a spay/neuter campaign for the winter of 2005.  It became apparent that the population of stray dogs  and cats is out of control on their small island nation.  The incidence of dog bites and leptospirosis (stray dogs as carriers, a human health concern) are ever increasing, prompting the government to address the issue.  In September, Cheryl Morales (the ASHS president) visited our board members and volunteers in Oregon.  She began the organization for the campaign on their side.  The dates determined for the trip will be Dec 29, 2005 to Feb 2, 2006.  As of this writing we have

We received donations for our autoclave and surgery packs.  Andie McLaren sewed 90 surgical drapes.  We contacted many drug companies, local clinics, drug reps for donations, most of which are outdated supplies from both the veterinary and human medical fields.  Jim Houts donated a portable gas anesthetic machine.

The target goal of desexings is 1,000 animals during this one month long campaign, but much of the outcome depends on the cooperation of locals (ie transport of animals, number of local volunteers).  Currently we have 25 volunteers traveling to American Samoa for the campaign.  Our goal is to get the American Samoan dog and cat population under control, which will likely take several campaigns over the next few years, then travel beyond to other 3rd world regions to provide veterinary care and education.

With such a great volunteer turnout, at this time we are still in search of donated medical supplies for the upcoming campaign.