General News
3 November, 2022
Community vet clinic boosted by funding
Campbells Creek’s not-for-profit vet clinic is a step closer to serving its four-legged visitors after receiving significant funding from the government. The Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) was recently awarded a grant of $50,000 from the...
Campbells Creek’s not-for-profit vet clinic is a step closer to serving its four-legged visitors after receiving significant funding from the government.
The Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) was recently awarded a grant of $50,000 from the Victorian Government as part of their Living Local - Regional Fund, established to support local projects that promote social cohesion.
This is the clinic’s second grant — which brings the organisation to a total of $250,000 in funding towards its estimated target of $400,000 to set up the facility.
“This was an extremely competitive grant process, and we were delighted to see that the social welfare issues that we are trying to address, and the validity of an organisation that is 100 percent not-for-profit and run exclusively by volunteers is recognised by the State Government,” RCVC co-founder and treasurer Robyn Slattery said.
State member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards was joined by the three founders and volunteers of RCVC, representatives from Campbells Creek Community Centre and Mt Alexander Shire Council, in announcing the award for the clinic on October 24.
“It’s great to see so many new projects like our Regional Community Vet Clinic on the way that will help our regions — when we our regions do well, the whole of Victoria benefits,” Ms Edwards said.
Ms Edwards also announced anelection promise, stating if the Andrews Labor Government was re-elected later this month, they would invest an additional $100,000 towards the construction of the clinic building.
“The two announcements have been a tremendous boost for the organisation and it’s volunteers,” RCVC co-founder and secretary James Mack said.
“The idea of raising $400,000 was extremely daunting to us at first, but the outpouring of support has really showed that we had an idea that was not only supported by the community but sorely needed.”
While RCVC is working towards rounding up the remaining funds, they have continued to service those in need through pop-up clinics.
“With the help of Vets for Compassion we’ve been able to run multiple pop-up clinics de-sexing over 100 cats in the region. As part of our new social outreach program, we’ve been able to supply medication and food as well as in-home help to pet owners across the region who are doing it tough,” the third co-founder and chair Dr Yvette Berkely said.
“Now the word is spreading through the community we’re really starting to see how and where our services are needed most.”
Working with the Mount Alexander Shire Council, the clinic is also conducting outreach programs to reach out to people who are struggling financially or physically and are having trouble looking after their pet.
“We’ve got one person that we help, they have early onset dementia, and they’ve got a dog that needs medication every day. So someone goes in with the medicine and gives it to the dog,” Mr Mack said.
RCVC is organising another pop-up clinic this Sunday at the Castlemaine Veterinary Clinic and Mr Mack is urging people to call in because there are limited appointments.
“We’re asking anybody in the community with a valid concession card that is worried about their pet or struggling to pay for their vet bills to come in and we'll give them a top to tail check to see if their pet is healthy,” he said.
If you have a concession card and would like to make an appointment for a free health check for your pet with the clinic call RCVC on 0493 447 394.