The Trust is supporting a group of crofters who are exploring how best to secure vet services in Tiree now that there is no resident vet.
This is the latest update.
Animal Care Tiree is a group of crofters, supported by the Trust, who are trying to figure out ways of getting animal care in Tiree.
At the moment, we are managing to bring some services in. This is more straightforward for large animals than for small animals.
We also know that it is not a perfect solution. Because of that, we have been working on a longer term idea – a community-owned vet practice.
The concept is a practice which is owned on a not-for-profit basis. It would work on a regular rotation of three or four locums. It would require an admin person with some vet tech skills. It would sell drenches and drugs. It might also be able to offer other services in the future.
This has never been done in the UK before, and the regulation around vet practices and services is extremely tight.
To figure out what is possible, we are talking to the Royal College of Veterinary Services, the British Veterinary Association and the Chief Veterinary Surgeon in Scotland. The Minister of Rural Affairs is aware of our situation, as is our MSP and the First Minister. We are being supported by Glasgow Uni, and by the Highland and Islands Vet Support Scheme.
We are completing a business plan, and we have an economic impact assessment ready to go. There are no guarantees here. It may not be possible. If it is possible, it will not be cheap.
In the meantime, we are also in contact with other vet practices to see what small animal care services we might be able to secure.
If you have routine work needing done for ANY animal, please let animalcaretiree@gmail.com know.
We cannot promise that we can help, but if we know what is needed, it will help us work out the next steps.
For any animal emergencies, your nearest vet is in Oban. We cannot help. We wish we could.
Is sinne le spèis,
Rhoda Meek, Hannah MacKechnie, Archie John MacLean, Coinneach MacKinnon, Kirsteen MacKinnon, Morven MacArthur, Angus John MacKechnie, Marshall MacPhail
