Animals Fiji’s mobile clinic is set to commence operations for pet owners starting in September, as announced by co-founder and managing trustee Casey Quimby. The project, which has been financed through a GoFundMe campaign initiated in 2021, has successfully raised USD $25,000 (approximately FJD $50,000).
Ms. Quimby explained that the organization purchased a bus from Coastline Transport and has initiated renovations, which include removing seats and electrical components. The goal is to have the bus ready and operational by September.
For over a decade, Animals Fiji has been conducting outreach clinics in diverse locations including trucks, porches, and community halls. The introduction of the mobile clinic aims to provide services directly on the streets.
“The bus will allow us to park in any neighborhood or village without the need for extensive setup,” Ms. Quimby mentioned. The organization is collaborating with the Lautoka City Council and the Ministry of Agriculture to gather data on the Tavakubu ward.
“Despite our outreach efforts, many community members were unaware of our services or found it challenging to bring their pets to us. The mobile clinic will address this by delivering all necessary equipment right to their doorsteps,” she added.
The mobile clinic will operate with a team of two to four staff members and will be furnished with a generator, surgical tables, and sterilization equipment.
“We will implement a camping-style setup that provides power for surgeries and recovery, with our team managing sterilization while on the move,” Ms. Quimby elaborated. Initial clinics are planned near Nadi and Lautoka to help the team adjust to the new operations.
“Our staff is in the process of obtaining licenses from the Land Transport Authority to drive the bus,” she noted.
The community’s positive response has motivated Animals Fiji to seek sponsorships. “We are looking for annual sponsors to help cover expenses such as fuel, repairs, and maintenance. Sponsors will have the opportunity to display their logos on the bus,” Ms. Quimby mentioned.
While the bus has already passed mechanical inspections, remaining tasks include updating the wheel taxes and completing the interior renovations.