Today Lort Smith welcomes key donors and supporters in a “turning the soil” event at the iconic organisation’s second site at Campbellfield, but says there’s still more needed to reach their ambitious fundraising goal of $20 million for the two projects.

Lort Smith CEO, Ms Fiona Webster said, “Our animal hospital in North Melbourne is the largest and busiest not-for-profit animal hospital in Australia and has been a Melbourne institution for 85 years serving the community, seeing over 25,000 animals each year.

“We have reached a critical point in our operations and we are bursting at the seams with demand continuing to increase, so we needed to grow to a second site to serve more people and their pets, closer to where they live,” she said.

Lort Smith Campbellfield will become the second site to offer Lort Smith’s high quality, low-cost veterinary services, and continuing the organisation’s unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of people and their animals.

Lort Smith aims to provide expert animal health care and with the generous gifts from its many supporters, donors and those that leave a gift in their will is able to improve the health and happiness of animals and the people who care for them.

Ms Webster said, “This event allows the incredible people who give so much to our organisation and others in our community a chance to see progress on our shared vision for animal care.

“The community will soon have access to a brand new, purpose-built Vet Clinic, state-of-the-art Adoption Centre and Community Dog Park for people to come together and enjoy the area with their animals.

“Lort Smith Campbellfield represents our progress and forward focus, whilst retaining the legacy of our founder, Louisa Lort Smith,” said Ms Webster.

Only last month Lort Smith showcased their latest purchase of a fluoroscopy machine as a result of the generous bequest from the estate of The Late David and Judy Moate. This advanced imaging technology is one of less than a handful of its kind in animal hospitals or vet clinics across Victoria.

If Lort Smith can raise sufficient funds the North Melbourne Animal Hospital will undergo a redevelopment later in the year after the new Lort Smith Campbellfield is opened. Donations received by supporters of Lort Smith help deliver vital services to sick, injured and vulnerable animals.

Donate to our Capital Campaign today!