Regional Community Vet Clinic

07/06/2026

Friday was another busy day at the RCVC Pet Food Pantry, supporting a mix of familiar faces, new visitors, and some people we haven’t seen for a while.
While we could feel how busy the day was, the numbers tell the real story—1,432 pet meals were distributed in just four hours.
While we are saddened that so many people are struggling to feed their beloved companion animals, we are grateful to be able to provide this much-needed support to our community.
We couldn’t do this alone. Our heartfelt thanks go to Pets Of The Homeless Australia, Animal Rescue Cooperative, Petstock Foundation, and the many generous local donors whose support helps us keep pace with demand.
If you know someone who could benefit from assistance, please share our details with them. And if you're able to donate pet food, we would be very grateful. Donations can be dropped off at the clinic on Fridays between 10am and 2pm, or you can contact us on 0493 447 394.
Together, we can help keep pets fed and families together.
RCVC - Because every pet deserves a vet.

04/06/2026

Last minute reminder, pet food pantry open tomorrow (Friday) and every Friday, 10am-2pm!
Any questions? Call our number during business hours.

RCVC - because every pet deserves a vet.

17/05/2026

As RCVC prepares to celebrate the first anniversary of opening the doors to our permanent home on Tuesday 19th May, we are incredibly excited to share some wonderful news for the future of our clinic and the community we serve.
On Friday, a Victorian State Government budget allocation was publicly announced to support the completion of the stage 2 redevelopment at RCVC. We were honoured to be joined by Maree Edwards MP and Georgie Purcell - Animal Justice Party MP, both passionate supporters of our work and the belief that caring for vulnerable people and their beloved animals is something that rises above politics.
This funding will allow RCVC to grow well beyond our current one-day-per-week preventative care model. In the future, we hope to offer expanded veterinary services across multiple days with multiple vets, helping us see more patients, reduce waiting times and provide additional diagnostic services including x-rays.
The $600,000 funding will go entirely towards transforming what many affectionately know as “The Shed” into a fully functioning veterinary clinic. The completed facility will include dedicated dog and cat wards, an x-ray room, sterile operating theatre, second consulting room, prep room, staff room and office space.
What began as a community dream is continuing to grow into something truly life-changing for disadvantaged regional Victorians and their companion animals.

RCVC – Because Every Pet Deserves a Vet

03/05/2026

Meet Ruby, one of the very sweet patients who came into the clinic last week. Ruby is an older lady (almost 10) who needed a thorough checkup and although she didn’t exactly pass with flying colours, for her age she did well.
Each clinic day we help 10-12 patients. If you are wondering if we can help you, please give us a call 0493 447 394.
Remember, the Pet Food Pantry is open every Friday 10am to 2pm for ANY member of the community in need.

RCVC – Because Every Pet Deserves a Vet

23/04/2026

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful with our competitive grant application to Animal Welfare Victoria. Maree Edwards MP visited us this week to make the announcement official.
We have received $100k to purchase a van that will be used initially to extend the reach of our pet food pantry from our Castlemaine premises to other towns in adjoining shires. The van will also be fitted out to act as a mobile healthy check clinic in future.
Also, another $50k was received to purchase a dental x-ray machine for the clinic, along with other equipment. This will enable us to continue to look after and expand our services for the most vulnerable in the community and their pets. On average, we see approximately 10-12 patients of financially disadvantaged community members on clinic days.

RCVC- Because Every Pet Deserves a Vet

19/04/2026

Things are always busy behind the scenes at RCVC, even on the days we’re not officially open. Like many of you, we sometimes wonder where the time goes and then a story like this reminds us.
This post from our friends at Red Box Wildlife Shelter, will help share a glimpse of some of the things we are helping with. On a Friday night, an RCVC volunteer sprang into action to source equipment needed urgently for Molly’s surgery. By Saturday morning, it meant a quick trip to Bendigo to collect it, deliver it to Dr Mark at Red Box, and then return everything back to Bendigo on Monday.
A true team effort, made possible by volunteers giving their time, energy, and resources to help animals in need.
And this is just one story. Many others remain untold, out of respect for privacy and sensitivity of the people involved, but they’re happening every week.
RCVC – Because Every Pet Deserves a Vet

This is Molli. One lucky and much loved lady.
A rescuer arrived with Molli on Friday night not long after Dr Mark. It was suspected she was a hit and run victim with a broken arm.
Dr Mark did not have the rod required to fix it so we reached out to our friends at the Regional Community Vet Clinic that then reached out to their contacts. Through collaborative work a rod was located and Ms Molli was operated on to repair her arm.
She was extremely traumatised in the first 24-48 hrs here so contact was minimal but she has now settled into her safe space (her hut and yard) allowing me to treat her daily with her medication regime.
She'll be with us for a minimum of 4 weeks at which time her arm will be checked again by Dr Mark to ensure everything went to plan. From there, we hope Ms Molli will head home to her family and to her humans that love her dearly.
I've placed a photo of the rod under xray in the comments section. Away from the squeamish 😊
On a sadder note, Molli lost the baby she was carrying not long after her arrival here. It devastated us all.

Please consider signing on for $2 per week to keep the standards here high and our vet clinic free. If you can help out in this area, please hop along to the link below and check out our Pay It Forward program. Thank ROO 🦘

https://redboxwildlifeshelter.com.au/sponsorship-programs/

13/04/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to be the beneficiaries of this generous silent auction, featuring Gazou — a beautifully framed conte crayon drawing by local artist Karavan.
All proceeds will support the work of RCVC, helping vulnerable and disadvantaged regional Victorians care for their beloved companion animals.
Karavan returned to her passion for art after moving to Castlemaine in 2020, developing her practice during lockdown and beyond.
Gazou, her six-year-old feline muse, is a master of life’s simple joys — sleeping, eating, purring, and the occasional game of ping pong ball hockey. A true contemplative at heart, he enjoys meditation, he’s the perfect inspiration behind this special piece.
Bid generously and help make a difference 💛
If you would like to bid on Gazou, please view the drawing in person at the Castlemaine Market Building until Sunday 19th April at 2pm as photos, with reflections, simply cannot do it justice. Bids can be left with the staff at the exhibition or alternatively email [email protected] with your details and your maximum bid. The winner of this beautiful drawing will be notified on Sunday 19th April after 2pm.

21/03/2026

Fridays at the RCVC Pet Food Pantry usually bring something special — and this week we weren’t disappointed.
We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Digger, a very sweet boy who quickly won over all our volunteers (especially Luke, one of our regular Friday legends!). Along with plenty of cuddles, Digger headed home with some puppy food kindly donated by the Petstock Foundation, plus a new toy to keep him company.
This week alone, we distributed an incredible 1,266 meals to help people in need care for their beloved companion animals.
We simply couldn’t do this without the generosity of our amazing community. Every donation makes a real difference — keeping pets fed, loved, and with the people who need them most. Thank you for making this possible 💚
RCVC - because every pet deserves a vet.

08/03/2026

When the Harcourt fires took everything, Chiko and Trevor and their mum were left to begin again.
These two beautiful boys came into RCVC for their free vaccinations, giving their person the chance to take a small but important break from the overwhelming task of rebuilding life after the fires.
Recovery after disaster happens in stages. As Harcourt begins to move beyond the immediate crisis, we are seeing more residents bringing their pets to RCVC — not because something is wrong, but because after everything they’ve been through, they simply need reassurance that their companions are okay.
And thanks to the wonderful bedside, or should we say kennel-side manner of Dr Alistair, worried owners are leaving with something priceless: peace of mind.

15/02/2026

Supporting our community also means supporting the incredible rescue groups working quietly behind the scenes to save lives. RCVC is proud to assist self-funded organisations by helping little souls like these brothers, Marmalade and Tabasco, get desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to find their forever families.
Marmalade and Tabasco came to us from Robyn's Nest and all the Rest Animal Rescue , a passionate regional rescue group that works tirelessly to give vulnerable animals a second chance. These self-funded organisations do extraordinary work with limited resources, driven purely by sheer determination, generosity, compassion and commitment to the animals in their care
If you’re considering adding a new companion to your family, please look to rescues like Robyn's Nest and all the Rest Animal Rescue. Your support helps them continue their life-saving work — and gives animals like Marmalade and Tabasco the safe, loving homes they deserve. 🧡🐾
RCVC – Because Every Pet Deserves a Vet