Helping Tails - Petsville Animal Hospital
Dr. Satveer and Ady
Changing lives, one pet at a time—Petsville shares about Helping Tails, their community-centred initiative that offers free vet care to pet owners who are homeless or low-income individuals.
Dr. Satveer and Ady, Petsville Animal Hospital
Hello everyone! We’re Dr. Satveer and Ady, and we’re thrilled to share the story behind Helping Tails, a community-centred initiative that’s close to our hearts here at Petsville Animal Hospital in Steveston Village, Richmond, BC.
Helping Tails began with a simple idea—to give back.
Every day, we see just how important pets are to their people, especially to those going through hard times. For many, they are a lifeline, a source of love, and a reason to keep going. But we also see that financial struggles can make it tough for some owners to afford the care their pets need. That’s where Helping Tails comes in!
Through this initiative, we offer free vet care to one pet each month for owners who are homeless or low-income individuals. From life-saving surgeries to routine treatments, we aim to improve the quality of life for these animals, helping them thrive alongside their owners
It’s been an amazing journey so far, and we’re thrilled to share a few of our favourite stories with you!
Luna’s journey: Recovering after TPLO surgery
One of our first Helping Tails cases was a lovely dog named Luna. Luna’s owner came to us with the heartbreaking situation of a torn cruciate ligament in Luna’s right knee, which was causing her severe pain and difficulty walking. After visiting several veterinary hospitals, Luna’s owner learned that she required a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery to alleviate her condition. Unfortunately, the high costs quoted by other hospitals were beyond his reach, leaving him feeling hopeless.
Luna received TPLO surgery.
When we met Luna and heard her story, we knew she was the perfect candidate for Helping Tails. Thanks to the initiative, we were able to provide Luna with the TPLO surgery she needed. Watching her recover has been inspiring—not only is she healing well, but she’s also beginning to return to her joyful, playful self.
Knowing that Helping Tails helped Luna get back on her feet is a reward beyond words for both of us and our team.
Dr. Satveer, Luna, and her owner.
Vaccination outreach for Kelo and Luca
In addition to surgeries, Helping Tails also provides preventive care like vaccinations, which are crucial for keeping pets healthy. Recently, our team had the privilege of visiting a local homeless shelter to help two wonderful dogs, Kelo and Luca. Both of their owners are going through difficult times, but they do everything they can to provide love and care for their pets.
We vaccinated Kelo and Luca, protecting them against serious diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and rabies. This outreach wasn’t just about the vaccines—it was about ensuring that these pets remain healthy and happy members of their families. It’s incredibly rewarding for us to know that we’re helping to keep these animals safe while supporting their owners through their challenges.
These visits are always heartwarming. The gratitude we receive from pet owners and the joy of the pets themselves make every moment worth it. We hope to conduct more of these vaccination outreach events in the future to bring basic but crucial preventive care to as many pets as possible.
Growing community bonds
It’s been incredibly heartwarming to see how Helping Tails has resonated with people in our community. Since we launched, many of our clients, friends, and even local organizations have expressed interest in supporting or partnering with us.
We’ve had clients reach out to ask how they can help, whether through donations or simply spreading the word. It’s a testament to the kindness and compassion of our community, and it’s encouraging to know that so many people want to be a part of this mission.
The future of Helping Tails
We hope that Helping Tails will continue to grow, allowing us to reach even more pets and people in need. We envision a future where no pet is left behind, and every pet owner has access to the care their animal deserves, no matter their financial situation.
Dr. Satveer and Ady in front of Petsville Animal Hospital in Steveston Village, Richmond.
How you can support Helping Tails
If you feel inspired to support Helping Tails, there are several ways to get involved:
Donate: Financial contributions go a long way in covering the costs of surgeries, vaccinations, and other essential treatments. Please note that Petsville Animal Hospital does not accept direct donations. However, if you’d like to help, we’re happy to connect you directly with the pet owners in need so you can assist with covering their veterinary expenses. This way, your support goes directly to the families and pets who need it most.
Spread the word: Sharing our story helps us reach more people who might benefit from Helping Tails or who might want to contribute to this cause.
Partner with us: If you’re part of an organization or shelter that shares our values, we’d love to discuss potential partnerships to expand the reach and impact of Helping Tails.
A heartfelt thank you
At Petsville Animal Hospital, we feel privileged to be part of such a compassionate and supportive community. Together, we’re making a difference, one pet and one family at a time.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Let’s keep working together to ensure that every pet, no matter the circumstances, gets the chance to live a happy, healthy life!