The purpose-built trailer will serve as a dedicated mobile clinic for people throughout Nottingham and will enable even more people to access the free routine veterinary care at its city centre base.
The charity, Vets in the Community, was set up in 2012 by students from the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (SVMS).
The team run clinics fortnightly in Nottingham city centre and pets of eligible people can receive free routine treatment such as vaccinations, health checks, micro-chipping and treatment for fleas, worms and minor ailments. They also provide advice on pet health care such as nutrition, husbandry and neutering advice. So far they have carried out well over 2000 consultations since its launch.
The clinics are managed and run by a committee of SVMS students under the supervision of staff members, and are run entirely on donations.
Hundreds of veterinary students from the SVMS have volunteered at the service, which has enabled them to practice their clinical skills. In October 2019, they were also joined by veterinary nursing students from Nottingham Trent University, who have become an integral part of the team.
Long-time Big Issue vendor Shane, 38, who sold the magazine at the launch event told The Big Issue that Vets in the Community has been a "godsend" for him and his two dogs: nine-year-old Siberian husky Mr Fang and year-old Burmese mountain dog puppy Loopy Loo.
Vets in the Community been helping me for over a year from being on the streets through being in a hostel and recently looking for accommodation. During our team being on the road, Mr Fang hurt his paw and VitC helped him out with that and they give him regular check-ups and help me out flea and deworming treatments.
"They've been incredible, what they are doing is an absolute godsend. They can't do the big surgeries but for the minor things they are doing such an incredible, incredible thing and I really hope it catches on.
"I've always struggled with mental health problems but having the dogs in my world gives me a focus. They've been my rock when there hasn't been anyone else and I like to think I've been theirs' as well."
The first-of-its-kind mobile clinic, which has cost £30,000, is the result of two years of tireless fundraising by staff and students, and it will allow the veterinary consultations to go mobile, meaning the services will be more accessible to people further afield in the region. The trailer has been purpose-built and is fully equipped to allow the team to continue with high quality care from any location.
Vets in the Community accepts referrals from, and works alongside numerous support services in the area, including The Big Issue, Framework, Emmanuel House, Juno Women's Aid and Recovery Nottingham. It is hoped that this new mobile service will enable more links with mobile human healthcare services in the area.
Dr Jenny Stavisky, a clinical Assistant Professor in the University's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, said: "Pet ownership is a common bond and opens a conversation with some of the most marginalised people in our society. Since its launch, we have worked hard to make the clinic a welcoming space.
"Now, thanks to the tireless work from our team and their years of planning and fundraising, we have been able to buy this mobile clinic, which will mean we can take these sessions out on the road and allow us to reach even more people in need. This is even more impressive, given that it has been alongside the normal fundraising required just to keep our clinics up and running to provide this essential service to people and their pets. We hope that it may allow us to link up our service in the future with existing medical outreach initiatives for people, so that both pets and owners can be helped together. We are looking forward to the launch and hope people will want to come along and see this fantastic facility."
Holly O'Connor Midlands Regional Manager at The Big Issue, said: "Vets in the community has been an incredible project to be a part of. It was a shame for us that we were no longer able to host it but what they have achieved in the last 18 months is amazing. The mobile clinic will be a fantastic service for all those who access it as it will offer more reach than ever before. Thank you to Jenny and the entire vet school for being so supportive of The Big Issue over the years and I look forward to us continuing to be a part of the project in the future."
