Story
Our Mission: We’re a group of 4 veterinary students traveling to Rajasthan, India to volunteer our time and services to The Tree of Life for Animals this March for two weeks. TOLFA is a dynamic animal charity and shelter which works to improve the welfare and lives of thousands of animals (and humans) in a rural under-served community. Their main aims are to create a rabies free environment through sterilization and vaccination of the enormous stray dog population as well as providing rescue, medical and surgical care for any animal that shows up at their door step. On a daily basis a diversity of animals and species are treated including cows, buffaloes, goats, dogs, cats, camels, donkeys, and monkeys! In order to raise money for this charity and our expected individual contributions which benefit the charity directly, we have decided to undertake our very own Munro Challenge!
What exactly is a Munro you ask? Well in Scotland any mountain higher than 3000 feet (914.4 m) is termed a Munro named after the man who first cataloged them all, Sir Hugh Munro. Our goal is to summit Ben Nevis, the highest Munro in the British Isles, standing at 4,409 ft! We will be making the climb a few weeks before leaving for India at the beginning of March. As we all know Scottish weather is a bit unpredictable, so if we can’t climb Ben Nevis due to adverse weather conditions, we will climb Ben Lomond: a Munro that stands at 3,196 ft, certainly a challenge in itself!
What YOU can do:
Sponsor our climb!
Any amount of money you can donate, even a dollar/pound would help enormously. You will be improving the lives of animals and the people in the Pushkar community by supporting The Tree of Life for Animals which works tirelessly and unselfishly to treat these animals.
Make the climb with us!
If you happen to be in Scotland in early March why don’t you make the climb with us and as they say, bag a Munro! What better way to feel a sense of accomplishment than by contributing to animals and under-served communities in need, all while taking in breathtaking views at the summit!
Thank you so much for visiting our JustGiving page, this site is secure so your credit card information will be protected and the money is delivered directly to the registered UK charity TOLFA. Please visit their webpage to learn more about them!
Meet the team!
Ashley Priddy:
I am a third year veterinary student at the University of Glasgow. Ever since a young age I have been a fan of both feral and domestic animals. I believe the TOLFA mission is unique in the way that it treats ALL animals, regardless of species or ownership. Because of this, I eagerly anticipate the challenges that lie ahead.
This will be my first trip to India and I am looking foward to gaining as much knowledge as possible.
Allison Rousselle:
I am a third year veterinary student at the University of Glasgow, and my interests include emergency medicine, oncology and infectious diseases in both small and large animal species. After learning about an animal charity called TOLFA, I decided that I wanted to take part in and help with their mission - to improve the lives of stray, injured and suffering animals in Rajasthan, India. I believe that this trip will be an invaluable tool in my development as a compassionate and resourceful veterinarian, and that our exposure to a culture so unlike our own will have a lasting impact on how we view animals and the way in which they are treated in different societies. I am eagerly awaiting this endeavour and hoping that it will be the first of many.
Greer Tison:
I am a third year vet student studying in Glasgow, Scotland, and since moving here and beginning the veterinary course I have become interested in international animal charities that not only improve the lives of animals but also play a vital role in sustainable development and control of infectious diseases in under served rural communities. Going to India and being able to offer our help to TOLFA and learn from the veterinarians/nurses as well as from the community is a dream come true. I hope to be able to help TOLFA improve the lives of animals and people in the Pushkar area.
Janette Vaughan:
I am currently a third year vet student at the University of Glasgow. I moved to Scotland for vet school because I wanted to study at an international school and gain experiences in foreign countries through travel and/or veterinary volunteer work. I am a strong supporter of animal charities and value volunteering my time to improve the welfare of suffering animals. I am currently very interested in pathology, feline medicine, and animal welfare regarding food animals. This will be my first trip to India and I am extremely excited about experiencing this culture. Any support you can offer through climbing a munro with us or donating a small sum would greatly benefit TOLFA and the animals suffering in Rajasthan.
How your money can help the animals at TOLFA
£5 Can vaccinate 20 dogs against the fatal rabies disease
£25 Can neuter 5 dogs, preventing hundreds of unwanted puppies being born to a life on the streets
£45 per month will pay for a driver for our animal ambulance to allow us to rescue and transport the animals we treat
£300 Can buy all the medicine supplies required to treat all the animals that we see in a week
£1000 Will pay for electricity to be supplied to our shelter for a whole year, enabling us to work at night time when necessary
£2500 Can provide the salary for a veterinary doctor to carry out their vital work for a whole year