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UK's First Community Vets Launch on Remote Island
17 Feb
Summary
- Tiree launched the UK's first community-owned veterinary practice.
- Over 190 households have joined the service covering pets and livestock.
- The community raised £70,000 to establish the new practice.
The remote Scottish island of Tiree has established what is believed to be the UK's first non-profit, community-owned veterinary practice. The service, named Animal Care Tiree, opened its doors on Monday, following a community buyout of the island's sole veterinary clinic. This initiative became necessary when the previous practice owners retired last summer without a successor.
More than 190 households have already subscribed to Animal Care Tiree, which provides comprehensive care for both domestic pets and essential livestock. The practice facilitates visits from veterinary surgeons and offers continuous online support. This vital service was crucial to avoid the islanders being left without local veterinary care, which would have necessitated costly and time-consuming travel to the mainland.
The community, with support from Tiree Community Development and Tiree Rural Development, successfully raised £70,000 to fund the establishment of the new practice. This effort was driven by concerns over the potential economic impact of losing local veterinary services, estimated at £390,000 annually due to potential livestock losses and travel expenses. The community is now actively seeking further funding to ensure the ongoing operational sustainability of Animal Care Tiree.
