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Non-profit veterinary service for Mt Alexander

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The founding members of Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC), Dr Yvette Berkeley, Robyn Slattery and James Mack, were delighted to receive official confirmation from State Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, on the success of their grant application.

Regional Community Veterinary Clinic
Exciting news! Photo courtesy Mandy Baker

The founders of RCVC welcomed Ms Edwards to the proposed site of the clinic at Campbells Creek Community Centre, joined by supporters, members of the Campbells Creek Community Centre Special Committee and Deputy Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire, Councillor Rosie Annear.

RCVC, as a Not-for-Profit community veterinary clinic, will support the elderly, socially and financially disadvantaged in our community, by providing them with access to affordable preventative veterinary care for their companion animals. This will enable the most vulnerable to continue to live in their own homes with their pets.

“RCVC recognises the importance of companion animals in maintaining individuals’ physical and mental wellbeing. By supporting the health and wellbeing of pets, we reduce owner anxiety and increase overall health and wellbeing,” says founding member Robyn Slattery, “By enabling access to affordable preventative veterinary care, our aim is to legitimise and support the importance of animal companionship for people experiencing various forms of disadvantage.”

“Every veterinary clinic experiences the daily dilemma of clients unable to afford necessary care for their animal,” added founder and local veterinarian Dr. Yvette Berkeley. “Currently, in regional Victoria, clients unable to afford veterinary care are required to apply for a loan, go into debt, decline veterinary treatment for their animals, or surrender them”.

After receiving support from Mt Alexander Shire Council and the Campbells Creek Community Centre Special Committee for their proposal to build a community-funded, non-profit vet clinic, the RCVC founders applied for the 10th round of the Victorian Government’s Animal Welfare Grant Program. This program has committed $2 million for not-for-profit and community vet clinics to maintain and expand their services and allow new low-cost clinics to be set up in areas of need around Victoria.

The $200,000 received from the State Government takes the organisation halfway towards its estimated establishment costs of $400,000 for the clinic. The founders are hopeful that this commitment from the State Government will help show other philanthropic, government and two corporate sponsors that the need for low-cost veterinary services in regional areas is sorely needed and a cause worthy of support.

“We’ve been wonderfully heartened by the response of the community to this idea. Regional communities place an enormous sense of value on looking after one another, so being able to bring a facility that helps those who have fallen on difficult times keep their beloved pets is a cause everyone has completely gotten behind.” Says founding member James Mack, “We’re deeply committed to having the community be an integral part of this journey, so we encourage anyone with any questions or ideas to reach out to us via our website – www.rcvc.org.au”.

RCVC have three key activities planned for the next 12 months to continue the momentum from the grant:

  • Fundraising activities to raise the additional $200,000 needed to complete the build.
  • Seeking expressions of interest from practising veterinarians who are interested in contributing their time to procedures at the clinic when open.
  • Hosting community events and information sessions both to support the clinic but also to educate people about responsible pet ownership across the region.

In the meantime, RCVC invites anyone who is interested in contributing or would like to know more about the organisation and its mission, to write to them at info@rcvc.org.au, call 0493 447 394 or visit www.rcvc.org.au and sign up for the newsletter.

Tarrangower Times 6 May 2022

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 6 May 2022.

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