Meeting the Dental Needs of Captive Exotic Animals Worldwide.

Dentistry in captive animals is essential because oral health directly affects an animal’s ability to eat, behave naturally, and maintain overall health. In the wild, teeth are worn down through natural diets and behaviors, but captivity often alters these patterns, leading to problems like overgrown teeth, fractures, and infections. Left untreated, dental disease can cause chronic pain, malnutrition, and even life-threatening systemic illness. Because captive animals rely entirely on human care, providing proper dental monitoring and treatment is a critical part of ensuring their welfare, longevity, and quality of life.

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A veterinarian prepares an animal for a procedure while another person documents the process with a camera in a clinical setting.

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Four people wearing orange caps and masks perform a medical procedure on an animal lying on a table, using medical tools and wearing gloves.

Welcome to Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation™

The Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation™ (PEIVDF) was founded in 2005 as a private charitable foundation. Dr. Peter Emily, DDS, Hon AVDC AVD, donated the initial funds which formed the private foundation in order to continue his life’s work promoting the oral and dental health of domestic and captive animals around the world.

Our mission is to provide life improving advanced veterinary dental care to exotic animals located in captive animal facilities and animal sanctuaries, which are underfunded and/or understaffed from a veterinary perspective, in the US and abroad.

In early 2009, the board of the private foundation realized that in order for us to achieve our goals, raising additional funds needed to become a priority. As a result, on June 23, 2009 PEIVDF was incorporated and recognized by the IRS as a public charity. The operations of PEIVDF include fundraising, conducting missions to perform dental services to animals in need, and educating doctors in providing specialized dental care to these animals. Through these actions, we will ensure that there is a continuous supply of qualified practitioners that there is a continuous supply of qualified practitioners willing and able to provide veterinary dental services to captive animals.

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Ongoing PEIVDF Mission

PEIVDF will continue to develop its reach to include:

The provision of educational services to the qualified captive animal facilities/sanctuaries, through lectures, seminars, study groups, and any and all other appropriate means, to facilitate the provision of, and/or improve the ongoing exotic animal veterinary dental care available at these facilities.

The development of a curriculum to expand its reach by training experienced doctors and technicians in advanced exotic animal veterinary dental techniques. Trained staff will be utilized to provide care to qualified captive exotic animal facilities which apply to the foundation for assistance.

Affiliation with other organizations to study and reduce the effects of line breeding on oral deformities in animals, through the collection of scientific data obtained during the provision of the foundation’s services.

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Upcoming Missions, Events and Lectures

Our Board of Directors and Committees

A man with glasses and dark hair is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a dark shirt and there is lab equipment in the background.

Brian Hewitt

DVM, DAVDC

President

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Edward Eisner

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors; Vice President

An older man in a white polo shirt and red cap with matching logos stands in front of a leafy green citrus tree.

Steven Holmstrom

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors; Chairman

An older man with gray hair and a mustache, wearing blue medical scrubs, rests his chin on his hand and smiles at the camera in an indoor setting.

Clarence Sitzman

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors; Development Chair

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Tina Brandon Abbatangelo

DDS

Board of Directors Secretary

An older man with gray hair and a beard, wearing teal medical scrubs, smiles indoors with a blurred background.

Russell Farrelly

Executive Director

Veterinarian in black scrubs, blue patterned cap, and pink gloves smiles while holding a small medical instrument, with a mask under their chin.

Grace K. Brown

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors; Public Relations Director

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Kris Bannon

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors

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Jan Bellows

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors

Curt Ritchie

DVM, DAVDC

Board of Directors

What People Are Saying About Us

More Reviews

I want to give Thanks to this Foundation…. I just watched the Volunteer Team helping fix the Lion & Tigers Tooth issues. I am beyond overwhelmed with tears to know these Beautiful Animals, that have been abused by mankind hands, are finally rescued and receiving Medical Relief… THANK YOU SO MUCH….

Shelly K.

What a wonderful group of dentists! They went to Big Cat Rescue and performed dental work on 5 tigers and 1 cougar over two days. These cats were in great hands. They do it at no charge to the sanctuary. They helped make the lives better for these 6 big cats. Thank you!!

Dawn R.

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Two veterinarians wearing surgical attire and magnifying glasses perform a procedure on an animal in a veterinary clinic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was the charity formed?

What is the charity's mission?

Is PEIVDF a registered charity?

How can I apply to PEIVDF for assistance in the form of a mission for my sanctuary or zoo?

How can I apply to work on a mission?

Are you still awarding working grants?

Our Sanctuaries

PEIVDF provides their expert services – and the supplies required in the provision of these services directly to the animals. That way, PEIVDF’s efforts directly benefit each animal on which we work. Facilities as a whole do not receive direct monetary benefit from the provision of PEIVDF services. Below are the sanctuaries, shelters, and zoos we serve. Click on any one to learn more about the sanctuary and see photos from our missions.