Nicky Hunt says the permanent home is a “reset and refresh” for the charity. Photo: Nicky Hunt.
A formerly mobile vet clinic has put down roots as it makes a long-awaited return.
The Tiny Vet Clinic was established in 2019 by Dr Eloise Bright, offering care to the animal members of disadvantaged families from across Canberra and Queanbeyan.
In May, the clinic closed suddenly when Dr Bright was struck down with the flu, which coincided with the team searching for a permanent location.
ACT Pet Crisis Support president Nicky Hunt told Region that the service would now return and operate from early October.
“The relief comes from the fact that there’s some stability there. We know that we’re going to set up the service again … and be able to give it some longevity.
“[That is] a bit of security for our clients and the animals that we were helping – they can know that we’re not going anywhere in the foreseeable future.”
They’ll be operating from the grounds of the RSPCA ACT in Weston, with the clinic parked to the left of their driveway.
Ms Hunt said that while they considered several other spaces, it turned out that the site matched all their requirements.
“The RSPCA pretty much ticked all the boxes.”
Previously, the clinic operated out of a converted caravan and rotated between locations in Kambah, Ainslie, and Karabar.
Unlike other vets, it specialised in helping pensioners, the homeless, those on low or fixed incomes, as well as people experiencing financial difficulties.
While the Tiny Vet Clinic would share a space with the RSPCA, it remains an independent entity.
“We are wholly and solely under our own steam … They’ve been very generous with the space, but there’s no subsidisation or anything from the RSPCA,” Ms Hunt clarifies.
When their operations allow, the RSPCA is also set to occasionally lend a vet and a nurse to assist Tiny Vet Clinic’s operations (and, of course, their patients).
RSPCA ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson welcomes the Tiny Vet Clinic to Weston. Photo: Travis Radford.
For RSPCA ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson, putting forward their site to host the clinic was an easy decision.
“Although we don’t have a lot of resources, we’ve got some, and I think it’s really important that we work together,” she says.
“I’m really pleased that we are able to help the Tiny Vet Clinic.”
Ms Robertson also said that while the animal welfare service has been operating from a converted home in Weston Creek for more than 40 years, a long-awaited move to a new home in Pialligo would likely take years.
She said it means they are committed to housing the clinic in the long term.
“We still need to go through all the planning and the construction, so we will probably be in Weston for the foreseeable future. .. I said to Nicky that for as long as we are able to help, we will.”
As service resumes, the Tiny Vet Clinic plans to open its doors on the first three Wednesdays of every month, provided it has the necessary volunteer staff available.
People must register in advance using an online form, while parking is available opposite the clinic (attendees are asked not to use the RSPCA carpark).
The Tiny Vet Clinic will be open from 10 am to 12 pm on the first three Wednesdays of the month (subject to volunteer availability). Its new site is at 12 Kirkpatrick Street in Weston.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on Region Canberra.
