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The Vet Who Changed a Community: Dr John Celebrates 25 Years at Animal Welfare League Queensland
- Veterinary Director Dr John Gilmore marks 25 years transforming community vet care at Animal Welfare League Qld.
- Community Vet Clinics Become a Lifeline for Pets as Hardship Grows – 35,794 animals assisted during 2024-25, many requiring financial aid.
- Dr John estimates he has been involved with treating over 100,000 animals throughout his AWLQ tenure, never turning away people in hardship.
Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) proudly celebrates Veterinary Director Dr John Gilmore (Dr John) and his remarkable 25-year milestone with the organisation at their Years of Service Awards on the Gold Coast this week. Recognition of an extraordinary 52-year career as a vet devoted to helping animals and the people who love them.
Dr John joined AWLQ in the year 2000, stepping into a small clinic as the sole vet with limited resources but an enormous need for compassionate veterinary care. At the heart of his work has always been the belief that no pet should be denied help because an owner is doing it tough.
“It means we prioritise helping people of all walks of life and provide urgent veterinary are to their sick or injured pet regardless of their financial position.” Dr John said.
Throughout his time at AWLQ, Dr John estimates he has been directly involved with caring for more than 100,000 animals, many belonging to people experiencing financial hardship, crisis, or homelessness. His commitment to ensuring pets remain with their families has become a defining part of AWLQ’s community-centred approach to veterinary care.
A major focus of Dr John’s work has been the expansion of affordable desexing programs, a cornerstone of AWLQ’s preventative strategy to reduce unwanted litters and support “Getting to Zero” rehoming outcomes.
“Without doubt, the biggest change that’s happened in the last twenty-five years is our program of getting to zero…We now desex about two hundred animals a week in our clinics,” he explained.
In the 2024-25 period alone, 35,794 animals were assisted through AWLQ’s Community Vet Clinics, demonstrating how essential accessible veterinary care is for families across Southeast Queensland
Dr John also acknowledges the critical support of organisations that help AWLQ provide life-saving veterinary treatment. Partnerships such as the AWLQ x SavourLife Community Fund, which supports dogs needing urgent medical care when their owners are struggling financially, have been instrumental in ensuring no animal is left without help. These programs reflect the philosophy Dr John, and his team have championed for decades: compassion first, cost second.
AWLQ CEO Sam Jacklin said Dr John’s legacy has shaped the organisation’s identity.
“Dr John’s unwavering commitment to helping people and their pets, especially those doing it tough, has transformed the way AWLQ supports its community. His leadership in desexing, community access to care, and compassionate veterinary practice has changed tens of thousands of lives.”
As AWLQ celebrates his 25 years of service, the organisation pays tribute not only to Dr John’s clinical expertise, but to his profound dedication to the people behind the animals, families, seniors, vulnerable individuals, and pet owners facing crisis who found hope because AWLQ never turned them away.
During a time of significant hardship with a cost-of-living crisis impacting families across Queensland, AWLQ and its Community Vet Clinics need more support than ever. Relying heavily on community funding and dedicated partnerships to continue this essential work. Now is the perfect time to support a cause that directly helps local families and their pets.
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For all media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Christian Bowman
Head of Marketing & Digital
[email protected]
About Animal Welfare League Queensland
Founded in 1959, AWLQ has become a trusted leader in animal welfare. We provide a safe haven and second chance for more than 10,000 stray and homeless animals annually. To each of these animals we welcome through our doors, we promise never to euthanise a healthy, sociable, or treatable animal in our care. In addition to our shelter work, we are committed to keeping pets and people together by providing lifesaving support and resources to people in need with companion animals. We are known for our grassroots and innovative community-based animal welfare work, including our community vet clinics, the Getting 2 Zero model, the Golden HeartsTM Seniors’ Support Program, and the National Desexing Network.
