The volunteer-run Tiny Vet Clinic is searching for a new (and furr-ever) home. Photo: ACT Pet Crisis Support.
A mobile clinic dedicated to helping Canberra’s vulnerable look after their pets is planning to return.
The Tiny Vet Clinic was established in 2019 by Dr Eloise Bright, who also operates Canberra Behaviour Vet.
Before its closure, the mobile clinic’s range of services meant pensioners, the homeless, those on a low or fixed income or experiencing financial difficulties could seek subsidised care for their pets.
In May, the clinic closed suddenly when Dr Bright was struck down with the flu.
ACT Pet Crisis Support president Nicky Hunt said the closure was a chance for the volunteer team to re-evaluate its operations.
“It certainly made us realise how reliant we were on her [Dr Bright], and the fact we needed to put something in place for the longevity of the clinic.
“Working furiously in the background, we are trying to pull together a team of volunteer vets and vet nurses so we can start the clinic up again.”
Amid planning for their return, the humans behind the clinic are searching for a permanent location.
Previously, the clinic in a converted caravan rotated on Wednesdays between Kambah, Ainslie and Karabar.
“If we just had somewhere we could tuck it away that’s not going to interfere with anyone’s business, and they’re happy to have us and our clientele for a couple of hours once a week… that would be awesome,” she said.
Ms Hunt said the charity was currently talking with the owners of several sites as part of its search, but was interested in hearing about other locations.
The site would just need some grass where the team could park the van. The clinic doesn’t need power and already has a water tank.
The team is also reaching out to vets and vet nurses who may be interested in volunteering at the clinic.
“If we have that back-up, the clinic doesn’t have to stop or be postponed for that particular week,” Ms Hunt said.
“Depending on how many vets we may or may not have, it also might increase the capacity of how many animals we can see on the day.”
She said the ultimate goal was to find a site where operations were “safe, secure and [had] longevity”.
ACT Pet Crisis Support is undergoing a slow transition as Dr Bright starts to step away from the charity.
“We are looking for another vet to take on the role as the registered vet and then she [Dr Bright] will take a further step back,” Ms Hunt said.
“That is so she gets a little work-life balance back. But I dare say she’s never going to be too far away!”
In the past, Dr Bright hoped to expand the mobile clinic’s offerings to include surgeries.
Ms Hunt told Region those plans were on hold for the time being.
“It is one of our dreams and aspirations,” she said.
“If an opportunity comes up where we can work and set up a clinic that does discounted de-sexing and dental [treatment], then absolutely we will. We’ll be looking to try and achieve that down the road.”
If it can lock in a new site, the charity is looking at a potential return in August.
“We are hoping to do a soft launch at the new location … There are still some things up in the air.
“Rather than starting it up and having to stop it … We don’t want to be doing that to the clients.”
Anyone with information about a possible permanent site can e-mail [email protected].
Original Article published by Claire Sams on Region Canberra.
