Celebrating a Milestone on the Move: The Animal Care Truck’s impact over 2 years

Animal Welfare League NSW’s Animal Care Truck is officially rolling into its third year on the road, and what a journey it’s been! Backed by a generous three-year funding commitment from the NSW Government, the Animal Care Truck has become a beacon of support for communities where veterinary services are often out of reach. 

Since hitting the highway in March 2023, backed by the NSW Government, this mighty mobile vet clinic has delivered free veterinary services to pets and their people in regional and remote NSW. 

From March 2023 – March 2025, the ACT team has:

• Travelled 23,300+ kilometres 
• Completed 62 town visits 
• Helped 5,734 animals (4,326 dogs and 1,408 cats!) 
• Administered 5,333 vaccinations 
• Performed 169 desex surgeries 
• Implanted 2,167 microchips 

That’s thousands of wagging tails, grateful families, and healthier pets, thanks to the incredible Animal Welfare League NSW veterinary clinic team behind it. 

Derek Thompson, Animal Care Truck and Emergency Response Coordinator at AWL NSW, says the impact on regional communities has been profound.  

“The Animal Care Truck has had a powerful impact on pet owners and their animals in regional communities over the past two years. In areas where there are no local vets, especially in parts of rural NSW, many residents were facing heartbreaking choices.” 

“With the rising cost of living and some people needing to travel over an hour just to see a vet, access to basic animal healthcare was out of reach. We’ve seen owners in tears, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, simply because help finally arrived in their town,” says Derek. 

One local from Lockhart described their experience with the Animal Care Truck as incredibly positive.  

“The people who we dealt with were all extremely professional, friendly and helpful,” they said.  

“My dog, Wally, can at times have difficult behaviour, but that didn’t faze them. In no time at all, he was vet checked and vaccinated and we were on our way home. Because we usually have to travel for an hour to our nearest vet clinic, this service was greatly appreciated.” 

This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the support of local councils and the passionate people on the ground. We’re grateful to the councils who’ve welcomed the Animal Care Truck into their towns, providing space, sharing our message, and helping us connect with the communities they serve.  

Our gratitude also goes to our AWL NSW Branch volunteers, who step in to lend a helping hand when we visit their regions, and to the compassionate vets who join us along the way. Their expertise, kindness, and commitment ensure that every animal we treat receives the highest level of care. 

Beyond its role in preventative care, the Animal Care Truck has also been instrumental in responding to emergencies, providing much-needed veterinary support during natural disasters. During the devastating 2019–2020 bushfires, the truck and its team delivered first aid to animals impacted by the fires. In the aftermath of the 2021 floods, it played a vital role in providing emergency veterinary relief to companion animals and livestock. 

Real Impact for Real People

The impact of this initiative goes well beyond the vet table: 

• Making pet care more accessible for low-income earners and pensioners 
• Early care means fewer emergencies 
• More pets are staying in loving homes, not lost or surrendered 
• Communities bounce back faster after natural disasters 
• Locals feel the buzz when the truck comes to town 

And now, as we roll into Year Three, we’re not slowing down. In fact, we’re picking up speed, visiting more towns than ever before, connecting with more families, and delivering even more essential services right to their doorstep. 

“Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, the Animal Care Truck will continue its outreach program in conjunction with local vets, expanding into more remote areas we haven’t yet reached,” says Derek.  

“We’re aiming to increase the number of desexing surgeries and broaden our support services, ensuring even more animals stay healthy and out of shelters. The mission remains the same: to be there for those who need us most.” 

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for trip announcements.