Vet nurse helps WECare Worldwide vaccinate over 300 street dogs

Bridey Morgan, a newly qualified RVN at The Oak Vets in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, has volunteered with IVC Evidensia’s charity partner, WECare Worldwide, to support street dogs in Sri Lanka. 

During her trip, Bridey supported the Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release (CNVR) programme – the backbone of WECare’s mission to transform the lives of street dogs in Sri Lanka. 

What is the WECare Worldwide Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release programme? 

Operating via a mobile unit, the CNVR programme works to sustainably control the roaming dog population through neutering and to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases through vaccination. The charity’s approach focuses on animal welfare, enabling current and future stray dog populations to live healthier, happier lives.



Over the course of two weeks, Bridey helped neuter 211 dogs and vaccinate more than 300 dogs and puppies, helping make a meaningful impact on the health and welfare of the local street dog population. 

She was also supported by The Oak Vets, who contributed £500 from their Community Grant towards the costs of the CNVR programme. 

How does a Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release unit work?

The day begins early with a tuk-tuk carrying a group of street dogs, awaiting their pre-operative health checks. Inside the mobile unit, the dogs are vaccinated and microchipped before being prepared for surgery.



 “The lorry contains four theatre suites where dogs are neutered, ear tipped and provided with crucial IV fluid therapy,” Bridey explains. 

"Each surgery is different due to the range in sex, ages, lifestyle and condition of the street dogs. Many of the dogs have underlying conditions, such as pyometra or could be harbouring infectious diseases like distemper, which makes for interesting anaesthetics.” 

Following surgery, the dogs are moved to a dedicated recovery area to have their details recorded, enabling teams to track treatments and rabies efforts. The recovery team is made up of local staff (animal care assistants) and volunteers who closely monitor each patient until they are ready to be released. 

Delivering veterinary care to street dogs in Sri Lanka 

Despite the pace and volume of work, the CNVR team maintains smooth-running operations to ensure consistently high veterinary standards. 

“I have been truly blown away by how well the flow of the CNVR lorry works and I am in admiration of all the local staff and their dedication to the charity,” Bridey shared. 

“The team of locals that work on the lorry are like family, with the flow of the day so well-orchestrated and everybody being so welcoming that it was easy to get into the flow.”  

Alongside helping street dogs, the CNVR unit extends its veterinary services to the local community; offering free neutering, vaccinations and health checks for owned dogs, alongside rabies and animal welfare education programmes. 

Volunteer with WECare Worldwide 

WECare Worldwide offers various opportunities to volunteer abroad for vets, nurses and animal care assistants. To learn more about how you can support the charity, visit ‘Ways to Get Involved with WECare’.