Veterinarians at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Medical Clinic at the University of Saskatchewan trim the nails of Hannibal the rabbit on Jan. 19, 2020. (Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)

By CKOM News

Helping Out

U of S veterinary clinic uses trimmers to aid relief efforts in Australia

Jan 19, 2020 | 3:23 PM

A group of veterinarians at the University of Saskatchewan are banding together to help disaster relief efforts in Australia.

Dr. Shannon Toy of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Medical Centre felt helpless watching weeks of news coverage detailing the devastation in Australia as months of bush fires wreaked havoc on the country.

Following the lead from other clinics on social media, Toy decided to gather the clinic for a nail trim fundraiser on Sunday.

“Things like rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, rats — things like that are all welcome,” Toy said.

As part of the widespread fires, animal death estimates sky rocketed in recent weeks, with some news organizations reporting over one billion animals have died in the fires.

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A minimum $15 donation per nail trim was required. All proceeds will be shared with WIRES (wildlife rescue rehabilitation organization) and the World Wildlife Fund Australia.

“Just seeing numbers, like over one-billion wild animals have since perished from the fires is something that’s kind of just unfathomable to me,” Toy said.

Also included is a bake sale to further help fundraising totals.

“I think any donations that can be sent towards relief efforts in Australia is a worthwhile cause,” Toy said.