June 24th, 2022For the love of cats…and all animals

REGIONAL Community Vet Clinic, a Mt Alexander Shire based non-profit organisation, was generously gifted an anonymous donation from cat lovers in the community to host the clinic’s first de-sexing day at the end of May.
Throughout the day RCVC neutered 31 cats from independent rescuers and farmsteads across the Loddon Mallee region.
The goal of the clinic is to support people who are experiencing dire financial situations to care for their companion animals, to run neutering programs and to support and promote the value of companion animals in the community.
RCVC recently secured state government funding to turn their goal into a reality.
“We are just in the very early stages. One of the first stages of our plan is to raise funds to set up a non-profit veterinary clinic on land associated with Campbells Creek Community Centre,” said founding member James Mark from Castlemaine.
“A clinic at this site will be an opportunity to assist people experiencing financial hardship to access preventative veterinary care.
“This care could be a game changer for many people who have a tight bond with their animals but just cannot afford the veterinary care required by their animals. For some people, their animals are their lifeline and not to be able to afford care for their loved one can be devastating.”
As well as providing non-profit community vet care, RCVC will also be a place for the community to come together to support neutering programs. Neutering programs are proactive interventions that work to curb cat colonies while maintaining healthy environments for both the cats and the community, in an attempt to reduce disease and unwanted kittens.
Every female cat has the potential to birth 6-10 kittens a year and by six months each of these kittens can start reproducing their own litters of kittens. The population growth is exponential and cat colonies can get out of control.
Founding member Dr. Yvette Berkeley from McKenzie Hill said the clinic’s goals include providing access to preventative health veterinary services, running neutering programs and also supporting companion pet care in people’s homes.
“We believe in the power of pets to help people maintain their independence, wellbeing, and general health. Promoting the well-being of pets directly affects the health and well-being of people”.
RCVC have three key activities planned for the next 12 months: fundraising activity to raise the additional $200,000 needed to complete the build; seeking expressions of interest from practicing veterinarians who are interested in contributing their time to procedures at the clinic when open; and hosting community events and information sessions both to support the clinic, but also to educate 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 or visit https://rcvc.org.au/donate/ to donate to the cause.

Contributed