Veterinarians Without Borders is a 4-star charity. The charity has a B Results Reporting grade, which is average. Its overhead spending is within Ci’s reasonable range and its reserve funds can cover program costs for 7 months, which is also within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 2005, Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) runs programs to strengthen animal health and community resilience. Its guiding philosophy follows the One Health lens that believes that people and animals can only be healthy when the environment is healthy. It improves veterinary care, aids in crisis response, teaches sustainable agricultural practices, and prevents animal diseases for communities in need. VWB runs international programs in South Sudan, Cambodia, and Ukraine, and in remote Canadian Arctic communities. The charity addresses the dangers of rabies, the impacts of war, gender inequality in agriculture, and the inaccessibility of veterinary care.

VWB runs six main programs, listed below, as well as several smaller programs. The charity spent $5.9m on its programs and grants in the fiscal year ending March 2024 (F2024). VWB breaks down its program spending in its 2024 annual report, which is a best practice.

Volunteers Engaged in Gender-Responsive Technical Solutions (VETS) was 29% of program costs. It operated in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. VWB trained locals to improve animal health, agricultural sustainability, and gender equality. According to the charity, it supported 25,630 women, 18,270 men, and 2,314 children in F2024. VWB trained 42,263 people to detect animal diseases in F2024.

Ukraine was 25% of program spending. The program supported the war-affected areas. It offers preventative veterinary care and provides basic supplies to animal shelters. According to the charity, the local partners performed 13,695 spay/neuter surgeries and trained 1,849 people in disease detection in F2024.

Agriculture-based Growth and Resilience Opportunities for Women (AGROW) was 13% of program spending. The charity partnered with local organizations to empower women by providing training on gender equality, animal health, and sustainable agricultural practices. According to the charity, it trained 458 people in zoonotic disease detection and supported 48 communities in F2024. This program ended as of December 2024.

Other international programs were 15% of program spending and includes its work in South Sudan and other countries. In South Sudan, VWB vaccinated 20,276 livestock against diseases, distributed 2,200 animals to farmers, and overall supported 4,429 households during F2024. The charity spent $678k on programs in Saudi Arabia but did not mention any quantified results or program activities.

Northern Animal Health Initiative (NAHI) was 10% of program spending. It ran vet clinics and training to remote communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. VWB performed 291 spay/neuter surgeries in F2024.

Community One Health Empowerment Rwanda and Senegal (COHERS) was 6% of program spending. This program established One Health systems to prevent animal disease and raise awareness about gender equality. According to the charity, it trained four local partners and supported 596 small-scale farmers.

Emergency Response was 3% of program spending. VWB provided crisis relief, such as evacuations and search and rescue. According to the charity, the program supported eight communities and helped 275 animals during the NWT fires.

During F2024, VWB received $5.3m in donations, up 81% from $2.9m in F2023. It also received $3.5m in government funding (40% of total revenue), up 70% from $2.9m in F2023. The charity also reported $1.1m in volunteer time, which we have not included for comparability with other charities. 

Administrative costs are 12% of total revenue. Fundraising costs are 3% of donations. This means that the charity spent 15% on overhead. For every dollar donated, 85 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending, which is between 65 and 95 cents. 

In F2024, VWB had an operating surplus of $1.8m (20% of revenue). The charity spent $5.9m on its programs and grants (66% of revenue). This F2024 surplus went into reserve funds (cash and investments). At the end of 2024, VWB has $3.3m worth of net reserve funds. These funding reserves cover 57%, or seven months of VWB's annual program spending. 

Profile updated by Leah Holmes on May 13, 2025. This charity report is an update that has been sent to the charity for review. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming,