Pets Haven Foundation clinic in Bayswater North still facing closure

THOUSANDS of vulnerable animals face an uncertain future with a community veterinary clinic in Bayswater North still at risk of closure.

Pets Haven Community Vet Clinic vet nurse Judy Steuten with Jupiter an Australian cattle dog. Picture: Stuart Milligan

THOUSANDS of vulnerable animals face an uncertain future with a community veterinary clinic in Bayswater North still at risk of closure.

Maroondah Leader reported in October a lack of customers at the pro-life Pets Haven Foundation clinic on Canterbury Rd had put it on the brink of collapse.

Pets Haven Foundation vet clinic in Bayswater North at risk of closing due to lack of customers

Managing director Trish Burke told Leader last week the clinic’s financial situation remained dire.

“Closure is a real possibility,” Ms Burke said.

“I really didn’t want to put it out there because I was hoping a miracle was going to happen.

“But I have a very short period to work out what we are going to do — the lease on this building ($12,000 a month) is too significant.

“It was something we thought we would be able to cover but we really need the volume of customers to increase.”

The Pets Haven Foundation runs two clinics on the site — a shelter clinic where staff treated rescued animals from pounds and a community clinic for members of the public to bring their pets.

Marcel is one of the animals Pets Haven rescued. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The foundation treated 3800 rescued animals last year.

“We rescue predominantly from pounds because these animals have nowhere else to go — they will be euthanised — so it’s very important to us,” Ms Burke said.

Ms Burke said they were now assessing options for the future, including exploring other locations for the clinic to move too.

She said they were desperate for more people to come and use their service and for corporate sponsors to come on board.

“I’m working with our general manager at the moment — we’re very scared it’s coming up to a period where we need to sign out lease,” Ms Burke said.

“We really do need some financial support for this for this to occur.”

Ms Burke said the job was often heartbreaking for staff and fatigue did set in.

“But when we see the volume and the work we are doing and the difference we are making and the happy (adoption) stories, that’s the difference for us, that keeps us going.

“Twice this week I slept here at this clinic and I wasn’t successful with who we were nursing and that’s heartbreaking but there’s always tomorrow when somebody else needs our help.

“When customers come in and utlise the community veterinay clinic they are also helping all of these animals in need.”

Details: petshaven.org.au