Animals Fiji’s mobile clinic is set to begin operations for pet owners in September, as announced by co-founder and managing trustee Casey Quimby. The initiative, which was made possible through a GoFundMe campaign launched in 2021, successfully raised USD $25,000 (approximately FJD $50,000).
Quimby shared that the organization purchased a bus from Coastline Transport and has commenced renovations, which include removing seats and electrical components. “We aim to have it on the road by September,” she noted.
For over a decade, Animals Fiji has been conducting outreach clinics in various settings such as trucks, porches, and community halls. The new mobile clinic will allow for more personalized service, enabling them to provide direct care street by street. “With the bus, we can park on every street or in any village without worrying about setup,” Quimby explained.
In collaboration with the Lautoka City Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animals Fiji is focused on gathering data in the Tavakubu ward. Quimby highlighted that despite existing community outreach efforts, many people were unaware of their services or faced challenges bringing their pets in for care. The mobile clinic is designed to overcome these obstacles by delivering essential equipment directly to the community.
The mobile clinic will operate with a team of two to four staff members and will be equipped with a generator, surgical tables, and sterilization facilities. “We’ll have a camping layout with power for surgeries and recovery. Our team will handle sterilization on the road,” Quimby said.
The initial clinics are planned for areas near Nadi and Lautoka to help the team acclimate to the new setup. Quimby also mentioned that the staff is in the process of obtaining licenses from the Land Transport Authority to drive the bus.
Positive community feedback has motivated Animals Fiji to seek sponsorships to help cover ongoing expenses such as fuel, repairs, and maintenance. Sponsors will have the opportunity to display their logos on the bus, according to Quimby.
The bus has successfully passed mechanical inspections, with only a few final steps remaining, including updating wheel taxes and completing the interior setup.