Animals Fiji’s mobile clinic is set to launch in September, according to co-founder and managing trustee Casey Quimby. The initiative, which raised USD$25,000 (around FJD$50,000) through a GoFundMe campaign initiated in 2021, aims to enhance pet care accessibility.
Quimby stated that the organization purchased a bus from Coastline Transport, which is currently undergoing renovations to accommodate clinical services. “We aim to have it on the road by September,” she mentioned.
For over a decade, Animals Fiji has held outreach clinics at various locations such as trucks, porches, and community halls. The forthcoming mobile clinic is intended to provide more convenient street-level services. “With the bus, we can park in every street or village without worrying about setup,” Quimby remarked.
The organization is collaborating with the Lautoka City Council and the Ministry of Agriculture to gather data on the Tavakubu ward. Quimby explained that despite community outreach efforts, many residents were unaware of their services or faced challenges bringing their pets to them. The mobile clinic will address these issues by bringing essential equipment directly to the community.
The mobile unit will be staffed by two to four team members and will include 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,” she added.
Initial clinics will take place near Nadi and Lautoka as the team becomes acclimated to the mobile setup. “Our staff is obtaining licenses from the Land Transport Authority to drive the bus,” Quimby noted.
Positive community feedback has prompted Animals Fiji to seek annual sponsorships to help cover fuel, repairs, and maintenance costs. Sponsors will have the opportunity to display their logos on the bus.
The vehicle has successfully passed mechanical inspections, with final preparations involving updating wheel taxes and completing the interior setup.