By Carriacou Animal Hospital
If you’ve ever sailed with a dog curled up on your bunk or a curious cat peeking out of the companionway, you know how vital it is to have reliable veterinary care — even when you’re far from a mainland clinic. Carriacou Animal Hospital has recently launched a new telehealth initiative, allowing pet owners across the Grenadines and aboard boats in surrounding waters access to professional veterinary advice from their phone or tablet.
Island-Friendly Telehealth for Pets
CarriaVet is a new online consultation service developed specifically with remote pet owners in mind — whether they’re anchored in Tobago Cays, moored in Tyrell Bay, or tucked away farther in the Caribbean. It’s easy to use: Appointments are booked through the hospital’s website, and consultations are conducted over video with a fully qualified veterinarian.
“We’ve had so many boaters reach out over the years asking, ‘Is there a vet nearby?’ or ‘Can you help with this rash, limp, or sore tooth?’ ” says Dr. Nadine Cerny, head veterinarian and co-director of Carriacou Animal Hospital. “CarriaVet lets us help immediately — even if you’re not on Carriacou. It’s care from a vet who understands the island environment, limited access to medications, and what’s realistic when you’re living aboard.”
CarriaVet is particularly helpful for:
- Non-urgent health concerns: Skin issues, ear infections, limping, appetite changes.
- Emergency advice: Guidance on what to do if your pet is suddenly unwell, injured, or in distress.
- Travel-related questions: Vaccination schedules, island-to-island movement with pets, or advice on sourcing medications locally.
- Nutrition & parasite prevention: From fleas and ticks to intestinal worms and heartworm.
If your pet requires in-person care, the CarriaVet team can guide you to the closest available veterinary clinic or coordinate a visit to the mobile Carriacou Animal Hospital when you arrive.
Care with a Cause
Carriacou Animal Hospital is a volunteer-run non-profit, and one hundred percent of the proceeds from CarriaVet’s fees go to rebuilding the clinic after hurricane Beryl. This is at a critical time for Carriacou Animal Hospital. In July 2024, the hurricane tore through the island, severely damaging the hospital’s permanent clinic. Since then, the team has been operating a mobile unit and temporary surgery site while fundraising to build a new, sustainable and hurricane-resistant facility.
Your pet’s check-up helps lay the foundation — literally — for a new clinic that will serve Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and surrounding communities for generations to come.
“We’ve always run on donations and volunteer time,” says Katherine Nowell, co-founder and director. “This is a way for us to stay sustainable, support our rebuild, and offer a much-needed service to the cruising community and remote islanders.”
How It Works
- Visit: www.carriacouanimalhospital.com/carriavet
- Choose an appointment: Select a time slot that works with your connectivity.
- Prepare: Have your pet nearby and ready for the vet to see. Photos and short videos can be sent in advance.
- Connect: Use a phone, tablet, or laptop for a chat or video consultation.
- Support the cause: Your consultation helps sustain this 100 percent non-profit.
Carriacou Animal Hospital was founded in 2012 and has cared for thousands of animals on Carriacou and Petite Martinique ever since. With a small core team and rotating international veterinary volunteers, they offer spay & neuter services, education programs, wellness clinics, and emergency care — all free or donation-based.
Cruisers who’ve passed through Carriacou over the years often speak highly of their experience with the hospital. “We were anchored in Tyrell Bay when our rescue pup developed an awful skin infection,” says Sarah Collins, a liveaboard cruiser from the United Kingdom. “Carriacou Animal Hospital fit us in that same afternoon, despite everyone working on a volunteer basis. They were calm, professional, and went above and beyond — even when supplies were limited. I’m thrilled they now offer CarriaVet — so helpful if you’re not on the island!”
The initiative has also been met with enthusiasm by fellow veterinarians and donors abroad, many of whom have contributed to the clinic’s rebuilding efforts and equipment drive.
Looking Ahead
Plans are in motion to construct a brand-new Carriacou Animal Hospital on a donated property along Airport Road. The rebuild will include a surgery suite, exam room, dog & cat inpatient care rooms, storage areas and volunteer accommodation. With an estimated project cost of USD $250,000, CarriaVet is just one part of a wider fundraising and community support campaign.
To book an appointment or learn more, visit www.carriacouanimalhospital.com/carriavet.
To follow the rebuild progress or donate, visit www.carriacouanimalhospital.com/new-build
Email: Carriacouanimalhospitalinc@gmail.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +1 (473) 417-3543
