This week on the Passionate Pawedcast, we’re Reigniting Your Passion for Work with Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Dr. Kayla Banks! Tune in as she shares how to rediscover joy in your career, both inside and outside the clinic. Dr. Banks offers practical tips and heartfelt advice for anyone looking to fall back in love with the work they do.

List of Organizations you can volunteer at:

Animal Shelters (such as county or city Humane Society) & Rescue Organizations (general or breed specific)

• Assist with medical care, including vaccinations, wound care, and basic exams.
• Help with spay/neuter clinics.
• Provide emergency care for rescued animals.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

• Care for injured and orphaned wildlife.
• Assist with medical procedures, feeding, and habitat maintenance.

Low-Cost Veterinary Clinics

• Volunteer at nonprofit veterinary clinics that serve low-income pet owners.
• Provide basic medical assistance, client education, and post-surgical care.

Disaster Response & Animal Rescue Teams

• Join emergency response teams to help animals affected by natural disasters.
• Work with organizations like the ASPCA, Humane Society, or FEMA-affiliated animal rescue groups.

Veterinary Outreach Programs

• Provide free or low-cost veterinary care to underserved communities.
• Travel with mobile clinics to rural or homeless pet-owner populations.

Therapy & Service Animal Programs

• Assist in training and caring for therapy or service animals.
• Support veterinary checkups for working animals.

Veterinary Mission Trips & Global Outreach

• Work with organizations like World Vets or Mission Rabies to provide veterinary care in developing countries.
• Help with mass vaccination and spay/neuter efforts.

Zoos & Aquariums

• Volunteer in animal care, medical treatment, or research programs.
• Support veterinary teams in maintaining exotic animal health.

Specific San Diego Opportunities

·         San Diego Humane Society
San Diego, Escondido, Oceanside, and El Cajon

·         Project Street Vet
Seeks volunteer veterinarians and veterinary staff to run pet clinics and provide street veterinary work for pets of individuals experiencing homelessness. They have active teams in San Diego and other locations. Project Street Vet

·         Street dog coalition https://www.thestreetdogcoalition.org/

·         Helen Woodward Animal Center
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, this center offers various volunteer opportunities, including assisting in their Equine Hospital.

·         San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
expected to reopen in late 2025

·         San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife
Project Wildlife focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wildlife. Volunteers assist with daily feeding, medical assessments, and enclosure maintenance.

• Lions Tigers & Bears
  Located in Alpine, this sanctuary provides lifetime care to over 60 rescued exotic animals.
• San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
  Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this refuge offers volunteer opportunities through the South Bay Volunteers program
• San Diego Bird Alliance
  This organization focuses on bird conservation at  Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve and the Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary
• MARA Rescue
  Based in Escondido, MARA Rescue is a nonprofit sanctuary providing lifetime care to over 60 farm animals and exotics rescued from neglect or abuse.

Before applying, ensure you meet each organization's specific requirements and consider attending their orientations or training sessions.