Gloucester Native is First-Ever Recipient of New Veterinary Scholarship from PETA and Halo House for Dogs

For Immediate Release:
October 10, 2025

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

As the nationwide shortage of veterinarians continues to impact animals and their human families, Gloucester native and longtime PETA fieldworker Thomas McNulty is stepping up to fill the gap and pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. So today, in recognition of his dedication to changing the world for animals, PETA and Halo House for Dogs—a fund established by a longtime PETA member—have selected him as the first awardee of a new scholarship for veterinary and vet tech students.

McNulty, who is attending the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, will bring his skills back to PETA’s mobile clinics after graduation. For over a decade, McNulty has been a vital part of PETA’s field team and mobile spay/neuter clinics, rendering aid to neglected and mistreated animals in North Carolina and Virginia and helping indigent families access low-to-no-cost veterinary services for their companion animals. In 2020, his tireless efforts as a PETA fieldworker were featured in the documentary Breaking the Chain from executive producer Anjelica Huston.

Left: As a senior fieldworker for PETA, McNulty worked day in and day out to improve the lives of neglected animals in impoverished rural areas. Right: McNulty is currently attending the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

“Witnessing firsthand the suffering that occurs when more animals enter a world already bursting at the seams with homeless cats and dogs has moved me to do everything I can to help end the homeless animal crisis,” says McNulty. “I’m so grateful to have the support of PETA and Halo House as I take the next step in my career, and I’m eager to continue assisting PETA’s vital work as a veterinarian.”

“Spaying and neutering are the best tools we’ve got to prevent unwanted animal births, but the veterinary workforce shortage is hampering these critical services,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “Thomas has devoted his life to helping animals in need, and PETA is pleased to join Halo House in supporting him as he advances his compassionate mission as a veterinarian.”

Growing up in rural Gloucester, McNulty was always moved by the plight of dogs and other animals left outside to fend for themselves in his neighborhood. He began walking neighbors’ dogs at the age of 10, volunteering for the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society at 12 and working there as soon as he could get a work permit at age 14. After graduating from Rappahannock Community College, he worked at Countryside Animal Hospital in Saluda before joining PETA in 2014.

For almost 25 years, PETA’s clinics have provided free and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries and other services for hundreds of thousands of animals in underserved areas of Virginia and North Carolina—preventing millions of dogs and cats from being born into a world that’s already in the midst of a companion animal overpopulation crisis.

Anyone 18 or older who has been accepted into or is currently enrolled in a veterinary medicine program may apply to the Halo House Veterinary Scholarship Fund if they commit to give back by working with PETA’s low-to-no-cost mobile veterinary clinics for a period of time after completing their degree. Those interested in applying can do so on PETA’s website.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information about PETA’s investigative newsgathering and reporting, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.