Releasing its Annual Report this week, iconic Melbourne-based not-for-profit Lort Smith has revealed that in 2016 its team of vets and nurses performed a total of 37,996 consultations – that’s an average of 730 animals cared for every week.

Lort Smith also provided almost $1.5 million worth of discounts to people who would otherwise struggle to afford veterinary care for their beloved pets.

This year’s results come as Lort Smith continues its annual end of financial year giving campaign to raise much needed funds to continue this important work.

Since 1936, Lort Smith has provided enduring positive impact on people, their animals and the community – through its Veterinary Hospital, Adoption Centre and Community Outreach Programs. The Annual Report highlighted the breadth of work Lort Smith carried out in the last 12 months, including:

• Rehoming 1,011 surrendered animals (623 cats, 265 dogs, 123 other animals)
• Performing:
  • 12,725 vaccinations
  • 2,685 desexings
  • 5,722 surgeries
  • 27,228 blood and pathology tests
• Undertaking 9,314 emergency consultations
• Caring for 133 animals as part of its Emergency Welfare Assistance program
• Providing 3,874 hours of Pet Therapy in hospitals, aged care facilities and allied health centres.

Lort Smith CEO David Herman said it was an incredibly busy 12 months for Lort Smith, and the organisation is already on track to provide care for even more animals in 2017.

“It was another great year for all of us and we’re proud to have continued our 81 year mission to strengthen the human-animal bond,” he said.

“Our achievement of close to 40,000 consultations reflects the growing need for Lort Smith’s services in the community, but we want to be able to do even more to care for Melbournians and their pets – especially those with limited financial means to access veterinary care and the pets of people in crisis.”

“As a non-profit organisation, Lort Smith doesn’t receive any government funding, so the only way we can continue to provide high quality care and support for animals that is accessible to their owners is thanks to the on-going support of the local community.”