Dr. Sharon Vanderlip is a veterinarian who has provided veterinary care to domestic and exotic animal  mammalian species for more than 30 years. She has written more than 20 books and numerous articles on animal care. Dr. Vanderlip's practice focuses exclusively on veterinary reproductive medicine and surgery for domestic and exotic mammals, including methods to improve animal health and fertility and eliminate genetic disorders. Dr. Vanderlip promotes responsible pet ownership through education. Her books also focus on health care and reproduction of domestic and exotic mammals. She provides consulting services for universities and research institutions and conducts seminars worldwide.

Dr. Vanderlip has authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed articles published in scientific journals. She has received awards for her dedication to animal care and for her writing and is a frequent guest on television and radio.

Dr. Vanderlip collaborated with the Zoological Society of San Diego and Cornell University, on animal reproduction research. She and co-researchers were the first to successfully induce estrus in non-ovulating canines using pulsatile GnRH and the first to publish the work and results. Techniques and methods from this research were then used to help other animal species, including cheetahs, to successfully produce offspring.

Dr. Vanderlip brought worldwide attention and public awareness to the plight of the rare, endangered Poitou Ass and Mulassier Draft horse, when she pioneered the importation of purebred Poitou Asses and Mulassiers into the United States from France in 1984 and 1985. The importations made world news when Dr. Vanderlip loaned her animals for display at the San Diego Zoo in 1984 and 1985, where they attracted several thousands of admirers and mass media coverage.

Dr. Vanderlip worked with Senator Pete Wilson and veterinary colleagues to bring about needed updates and improvements in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) equine disease testing methods. Those efforts resulted in USDA regulation changes to prevent the needless euthanasia of healthy imported equines that had false health test results and facilitated future importations of rare, exotic, and endangered equine breeds and species into the United States.

Because of Dr. Vanderlip's leadership in promoting updated testing procedures and launching Poitou Ass preservation projects, it became possible for zoological societies and private individuals to successfully import Poitou Asses, Chinese Kiangs, and other rare, endangered, and exotic equine species.

Through Dr. Vanderlip's artificial insemination techniques, she produced the first purebred Poitou Asses (1988, 1989) and the first Poitou Mule (1989) born in the United States. These animals were the first Poitou Asses and Poitou Mule in the world produced from artificial insemination.

Dr. Vanderlip received the Prix Angelique award from the Courier de l'Oest, Poitou-Charentes, for bringing notoriety to that region of France.

Dr. Vanderlip has worked with other rare and endangered species. She established a care and nutrition protocol which led to the first successful births in captivity of endangered Chinese Pangolins. Data from Dr. Vanderlip's work, her scientific publications, and her photographs of the pangolins are published in scientific journals and books, including Walker's Mammals of the World and Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Two of Dr. Vanderlip's photos of some of the pangolins she worked with are shown on this page.

Dr. Vanderlip served as Clinical Veterinarian for the University of California at San Diego, School of Medicine for many years, and as a researcher and collaborator with the Zoological Society of San Diego. She received awards and recognition for her contributions and dedication to the humane care and treatment of animals. Dr. Vanderlip also served as Chief of Veterinary Services for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and later as Chief of Surgery for a major national government institution specializing in reproductive medicine and surgery techniques and research. Dr. Vanderlip has owned her veterinary practice for many years. She is also Director of the International Canine Semen Bank in San Diego (ICSB-San Diego).

Dr. Vanderlip has raised rough Collies since 1977 under the name of Rainshade Collies. Dr. Vanderlip was the first worldwide to produce Collies from chilled and frozen semen. Dr. Vanderlip's Rainshade Collies are world renowned for their beauty, abilities, and genetic health clearances.  www.rainshadecollies.com

Note: In his book, Death of a Rat, genetics professor emeritus, Dr. William Stansfield, acknowledges Dr. Vanderlip for her humane care of animals and her professionalism while she served as Chief of Veterinary Services for NASA. In Guy Fourre's book, Ca N'existe Pas Ailleurs Qu'En Poitou-Charentes et Vendee, an entire chapter is written about Dr. Vanderlip and her successful efforts to save the Poitou Ass from extinction. In Malcome B. Willis' book, Genetics of the Dog, Dr. Vanderlip is recognized for her excellent studies and articles on the evolution of the Collie skull.

Email Dr. Vanderlip to schedule a seminar or veterinary services, or for consulting services.

Interested in knowing more about Dr. Vanderlip?

Check out her author interview at Bookthink.com where she candidly discusses books she has written (including her famous Collie book), some of her veterinary experiences, her Rainshade Collies, and her work to save the endangered rare French Poitou Donkey from extinction. Dr. Vanderlip made equine history when she imported endangered Poitou Asses from France to begin a preservation breeding colony. She loaned the animals to the San Diego Zoo for public display and they attracted mass media attention and crowds of several thousands of visitors.

Selected Scientific Papers
by Sharon Vanderlip, DVM

Clark, L.A., Wahl, J.M., Rees, C.A., Strain, G.M., Cargill, E.J., Vanderlip, S.L., Murphy, K.E. (2008)  Canine SINEs and Their Effects on Phenotypcs of the Domestic Dog. Genomics of Disease. 79-87. Springer Science.

Concannon, P.W., Lasley, B., Vanderlip, S. (1996) LH release oestrus induction and fertile ovulations in response to pulsatile administration of GnRH to anoestrous dogs. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 51, 41-54.

Heath, M.E., Vanderlip, S.L. (1988) The biology, husbandry and veterinary care of captive Chinese Pangolins Manis pentadactyla. Zoo Biology 7, 293-312.

Vanderlip, S.L., Lasley, B., Concannon, P.W. (1987) Ovulation induction in anestrous bitches by pulsatile administration of GnRH. Laboratory Animal Science 37, 459-464.

Vanderlip, S.L., Wing, A., Rivier, J., Linkie, D., Lasley, B. (1983) Induction of ovulation in anestrous bitches using a pulsatile delivery of GnRH. Laboratory Animal Science, 33, 492.

Vanderlip, S.L. (1983) What Is Your Diagnosis-Hypervitaminosis A in a Cat. JAVMA, 183.

Vanderlip, S.L. (1979) What is Your Diagnosis? Congestive Heart Failure in a Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis). JAVMA, 174, 1123.

Pet Care Articles
by Sharon Vanderlip, DVM

"Hedgehog Health" Critters USA 2010

"How to Prevent Poisoning in Ferrets" Ferrets Magazine featured article Feburary 16, 2009. http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets/ferret-health/poison-prevention.aspx:

"Debunking Guinea Pig Myths" Critters USA 2009 pages 32-39

“Top Fatal Conditions in Rabbits” Rabbits  2008 Annual Vol. 13 2008 pages 58-65

“A Mouse in the House” Critters USA 2008 pages 82-89

“Name That Hamster” Critters USA 2007 pages 32-39

“Skunks in the Living Room” Critters USA 2006 pages 92-96

“10 Conditions Your Rabbit Can’t Tell You About” Rabbits 2005 Annual Vol. 4 2005 pages 54-61

“Come and Get It!” Rats Vol. 3 2005 pages 58-67

“Top 10 Health Problems” Guinea Pigs Vol. 2  2005 pages 42-49

Professional Organizations

Dr. Vanderlip is a member of the following organizations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• American Society of Mammalogists
• Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
• San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association
• Society for Theriogenology (Veterinarians Dedicated to Animal Reproduction)