Bringing Pets & the Community Together
Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) was founded with the belief that companion animals play a vital role in the welfare and overall wellbeing of residents in regional communities.
The massive geographic spread and reduced access to infrastructure coupled with residents in regional areas often being in a higher age bracket or living on a low fixed income often means that animals in these areas are not able to receive the level of care offered closer to the CBD.
Our mission is to provide affordable animal care services to residents in these areas to increase community wellbeing, animal health and reduce the burden on local veterinarians, animal welfare organisations and councils.
Pet owners working with a low/fixed income often avoid taking their animal to the vet for regular check-ups and routine procedures because they are concerned about the costs.
This often leads pets to reach a point where health issues become irreversible or incredibly expensive leading to early euthanasia, surrender or abandonment.
By providing a facility that provides affordable proactive care across the region and educates pet owners about the importance of routine care we believe we can save the lives of hundreds of beloved companion animals.
A Facility for the Community by the Community
Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) are working with Mount Alexander Shire Council, the Victorian State Government and the regional community to establish a first for regional Victoria, a 100% Non-Profit community funded veterinary clinic.
Subject to final council approval RCVC plan to use generous funding from the Victorian State Government to construct a de-mountable clinic on the grounds of the impressive Campbells Creek Community Centre. Using the latest in sustainable design and building materials. Providing not only community focused pet health services but also allign with the regions vision for climate conscious development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you have questions? We’ll try to answer them!
As a community focused organisation our primary goal is transparency. In order for RCVC to operate, achieve our goal and thrive we need the support of the community which we believe should be earned through clear communication.
We hope this section answers some of the most pressing questions from the community, but if we haven’t answered something you are dying to know about you can email us at info@rcvc.org.au anytime!
Who Will be Eligible to use RCVC
As we slowly begin to open the clinic services will means tested and limited to pet owners currently receiving Government benefits or concessions due to financial hardship. Exact requirements will be outlined when the clinic opens.
Will this hurt local veterinarians?
We love vets, in fact one of our founders is a local veterinarian. RCVC is designed to provide services to clients and their companion animals that are experiencing such financial hardship that they would never consider setting foot inside a private vet clinic.
By providing a Non-Profit alternative to private veterinary care we can significantly reduce the financial and emotional burden of veterinary professionals who conflicted with their desire to help are confronted by the reality of operating a profitable business to support themselves, their family, and their staff.
RCVC aims to work closely with local veterinarians to help subsidize and support clients who need veterinary care outside of RCVC’s scope so they can support animals without putting their business as risk.
Why not a mobile clinic?
There are two key reasons for this:
1.We are fortunate to have the endorsement and support of Mt Alexander Shire Council who have discussed a loan of land for the placement of a de-mountable veterinary clinic.
2.Having consulted with veterinary care experts we believe that a physical clinic would allow us to supply a wider service offering and conduct procedures in a more efficient manner, leading to more animals being treated in a shorter amount of time.
RCVC would ultimately love to operate a mobile veterinary clinic to service clients in remote parts of the state but we have decided we can do the greatest amount of good in the initial stages with a fixed location.
Are you an animal welfare organisation?
RCVC is founded on a shared love of animals but also an understanding of the physical and mental health benefits a pet can bring to people.
There are already a number of fantastic animal welfare organisations across regional Victoria that provide wonderful support for unowned, surrendered or abandoned animals and we have no desire to detract from their work.
We believe RCVC will bring a collaborative and complimentary service to regional Victoria by allowing financially challenged members of the community an opportunity to care for their animals, we significantly reduce levels of animal abandonment or surrender in the community, as well as offering to facilitate responsible pet ownership services like chipping and spaying.
Our Vision & Mission
Our vision
For all people to have access to veterinary care for their companion animals.
Our mission
To establish facilities that provide affordable, quality veterinary care for companion animals when their owners are experiencing social disadvantage or financial hardship in Central Victoria.
Why we're needed
Based on our research over 15% of companion animals in Mt Alexander Shire and its surrounding regions are missing out on essential veterinary care due to services being financially or physically out of reach for owners.
Our Impact
Cats Desexed
Volunteer Hours in Community Outreach
Hours in Pop-Up Clinics
Robyn and Yvette from the Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) provided amazing care for my elderly mother’s Staffie, Mary.
Mary needed regular eye drops to continue a happy life, and proved to be a very difficult patient especially for my mum. Fortunately for us Robyn stepped in to give Mary her eye drops and at the same time spent many hours every week with my mum, which was a great bonus.
This whole process made me realise just how important it is to take care of the pets of our elderly and how essential the Regional Community Vet Clinic is for the community. Without the RCVC’s help Mary would no longer be with us and mum would have lost her best friend, whereas now Mary is as healthy and happy as can be.
Thank you very much Robyn and Yvette – keep up the good work!
In October 2022 my dog Spot was diagnosed with Diabetes at Castlemaine Veterinary Clinic and remained under observation for two nights.
It was there that I was introduced to RCVC and its volunteers who undertook to help me to care for Spot at home. And so it began – the instructions, advice, countless daily phone calls, car trips to my property, all this to hopefully teach new tricks to an old dog like me “and it worked” not because of my ability but because of the tireless efforts over four months of a volunteer from RCVC.
Her patience, support, wisdom, guidance, common sense, humanity and care did enable this old dog to gain confidence and be able to care for Spot and for this I am grateful.
Presentation
Our Goal is Affordable Animal Care Services
We believe that every pet needs and deserves veterinary care to keep them healthy and happy for their entire lives.
But the unfortunate truth is that sometimes a visit to the vet is financially out of reach for some.
At RCVC our care services are designed to be affordable and accesible to anyone in need.
Desexing
Affordable and accessible desexing to help prevent unwanted litters and promote responsible pet ownership.
Microchipping
Microchipping and registering your pet will help you to be contacted if your they go missing.
Vaccinations & Health Checks
Boost your pet’s immunity helping them live a happy and long life with regular vaccinations and health checks.
Proactive Pet Services
Prevent long term health issues before they start with worm, flea and tick treatment, nail trimming, gland expression and more…
Dental Check & Clean
Approximately 80% of pets have some form of dental disease by the age of four. Regular checks can keep treatment costs low.
Minor Lump Removals
Removing minor lumps and growths before they become an issue and improve your pets quality of life long-term.
Please Note
RCVC is not planned as a full-service veterinary clinic, and will not treat animals who are sick, injured or are in emergency situations. If a companion animal requires treatment that is outside our mission, we will link the companion animal and their owners into appropriate services and resources where possible and practical.
Latest News
Regional Community Vet Clinic second desexing day another win for animal welfare
RCVC this time generously assisted by volunteers from Vets for Compassion, RCVC desexed a total of 28 cats preventing an approximate 400 unwanted kittens being born into the community in the next 12 months.
RCVC to hold public information session – Sunday July 17th
Join the team from RCVC at Campbells Creek Community Centre from 2pm on Sunday, July 17th for a public information session where you can find out more about the project, ask your questions and meet the faces behind RCVC.
Regional Community Vet Clinic launches $200,000 mycause fundraising campaign to construct non-profit veterinary facility in Mt Alexander Shire
Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC), a Mt Alexander Shire based non-profit organisation, have launched their first fundraising campaign in partnership with Australian fundraising platform mycause to start construction for a purpose-built facility for pet owners in regional Victoria unable to pay veterinary costs due to financial hardship, ill health, or disability.
RCVC in the Media
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