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Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has secured nearly $600,000 for the Regional Community Vet Clinic to be expanded in this year’s State Budget.
At a time when so many people are struggling with the rising cost of living, access to affordable vet care has become more important than ever. This funding is a very welcome step towards increasing access to free and low-cost veterinary care to pensioners, concession card-holders and low-income community members across regional Victoria.
The Regional Community Vet Clinic
Based in Castlemaine, the Regional Community Vet Clinic first reached out to Georgie during her election campaign. At the time, they were operating from a donated space in a commercial clinic, limiting how many animals and families it could help, with increasing demand for services far outstripping the clinic's capacity.
Georgie successfully fought for the clinic to secure support in last year's Victorian budget. With this, the clinic’s premises were built – a standalone, dedicated site able to provide affordable veterinary care including desexing, check-ups, dental care, nail trims, euthanasia and end-of-life care for eligible pet owners.
Now, in this year's Budget, the Animal Justice Party has secured the funds for the clinic to expand.
More Care, Closer to Home
These funds will enable the clinic to fulfill stage 2 of its building fit-out, which will transform the existing building into a full-service veterinary clinic. With an extra consulting room, and space to house more equipment and recovery areas, the clinic will be able to treat more complex cases and reduce the number of animals being surrendered as costs of vet care increase across the country.
Keeping Families Together
We know that people’s circumstances change – especially in a cost-of-living crisis. They may experience family violence, lose a source of income or become disabled.
This should never mean losing the companionship of an animal.
That's why vet care accessibility is so important.
This commitment is a cost-of-living measure that recognises the human–animal bond, helping keep people and their animals together while improving access to affordable vet care in regional communities across the state.
