With a heart full of compassion and a decade of experience, Dr Viljoen is stepping up to help the pets who need her most, even when their families can’t afford the cost.
South Africa (03 June 2025) – A renowned small animal surgeon is putting her scalpel where her heart is, launching a deeply personal project to help pets whose lives hang in the balance, not because of a lack of medical expertise, but because of affordability.
Dr Hermien Viljoen, a board-certified specialist in small animal surgery, has spent nearly a decade mending broken bones, reconstructing limbs and giving four-legged companions a shot at a better life. But behind every successful procedure lies the painful reality she can no longer ignore. Many pets never get a chance at surgery simply because their humans can’t afford it.
“I see dogs and cats every day whose lives could be transformed with critical surgeries – if only their loving owners could afford them,” Dr Viljoen shared.
That heartbreak has led to something extraordinary.
Dr Viljoen has officially launched the Second Chance Surgery for Pets FundMe campaign. A passion project that’s been quietly simmering for years. It’s a deeply personal mission to make essential, life-saving surgeries accessible to pets whose families are struggling financially.
The campaign, now live on BackaBuddy, is a call to action for anyone who believes pets deserve a chance to live, regardless of their owner’s bank balance.
“This fund will assist owners who can’t cover the full cost of surgery and fully support those in need who can’t afford any of the bill. Every cent will go toward life-saving procedures,” she promises.
And it’s not just empty words. Dr Viljoen has committed to full transparency, providing regular updates on her X (Twitter) account and compiling an annual report to track the impact.
Her journey in animal care began in Hammanskraal, South Africa, where she spent three transformative years providing essential veterinary care in under-resourced communities. That experience cemented her purpose: to use her surgical skill not just for those who can pay, but for every furry friend in need. Now, at the helm of her private practice, Dr Viljoen performs highly complex surgeries daily, yet the stories that stay with her are the ones where she couldn’t do more because the financial gap was just too wide.
“If you can’t donate, your thoughts and prayers for these precious animals are deeply appreciated,” she adds.
But for those who can help, every rand raised through this campaign is a direct line to hope. Hope for a cat needing a hip surgery. Hope for a dog with a shattered leg. Hope for families who’ve run out of options but not out of love.
It’s more than a campaign. It’s a lifeline. And it’s already making tails wag.
To support Dr Hermien Viljoen’s Second Chance Surgery for Pets, visit this link.
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