This text is part of the special Social Economy section
Providing community and veterinary services to vulnerable clients is the mission of Communo-Vet. The non-profit organization, which was a winner of the OSEntreprendre Challenge in the Social Economy category this year, wishes to revolutionize the practice in Quebec.
The company was created this year by three women and offers services in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. For years, Hélène Méthot had been thinking of a way to help vulnerable people be able to provide adequate care to their pets. “I have always found it to be a heartbreaking choice when people do not have enough money to provide for the needs of their companions,” explains the co-founder of Communo-Vet, also president and secretary of the board of directors. of the NPO.
A true “professional love at first sight” with veterinarians Aryane Maltais and Florence Grégoire-Jacques led to the creation of Communo-Vet. “Florence and I both worked in clinics. And we have developed frustration with customers who come with their animals, but who face a big financial barrier. We would have liked to help them, but we were not able to do so,” recalls Mme Maltese. They also serve as vice-president of the board of directors of Communo-Vet.
Last June, the organization stood out by winning the OSEntreprendre Challenge in the Social Economy category, during the 25e Desjardins Grand Prix Gala. “We were very touched to receive this award. This confirms to us that we are on the right track,” rejoices Mme Maltese. The NPO will use the funds earned to purchase equipment to improve its services to the population and help them continue to start their business.
Restore confidence
Incorporating itself as a non-profit organization will help restore public confidence in the veterinary profession, believes Ms.me Maltese. “They realize that we don’t do this to make a profit. This is a challenge in our practice: some people think that we are there just to extract as much money from them as possible,” she notes.
The money raised is used in particular to establish collaborations with regional associations to offer basic care to the pets of vulnerable populations. It is also used to organize information and training days on animal health, and to conduct mobile consultations in different municipalities in Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Their business model eliminates fixed costs, avoiding investing huge sums in infrastructure and equipment. “The disadvantage is that it brings certain limits to what we can do. We must therefore work in collaboration with veterinary hospitals which have them,” explains M.me Méthot.
The organization also aims to promote mental health among young people through pet therapy. Stray cats, kittens… Communo-Vet kills two birds with one stone by offering these adolescents suffering from anxiety, depression or an autism spectrum disorder the opportunity to care for these felines. “It’s not just about entrusting this animal, it’s all the support that we can provide with this person,” adds M.me Méthot. The NPO would also like to integrate social workers and psychologists into this type of intervention. “We get to talk about something other than their problems. This creates a bond that is positive,” she believes.
Modify the Professional Code
In order to be able to work as veterinarians while being employees of Communo-Vet, Mme Maltais and his colleague hope for a change in the Professional Code. “The issue is that veterinarians and professionals who are governed by an order cannot work for an NPO and offer care directly to the public,” she emphasizes.
She therefore wants the Professional Code to be modified or at least veterinarians to be added to a list of exemptions. “I think that if we open a door, there will perhaps be other people who will be able to follow,” she believes.
Currently, Communo-Vet has circumvented this problem by creating a limited liability partnership (SENCRL). “We would like to lighten all of this because it can be heavy. Florence and I would like to be able to be employed directly by our NPO,” says the veterinarian.
Communo-Vet is also keen to expand its collaborations by inviting other veterinarians to join them in order to gradually extend its services to all of Quebec. “We hope to be able to use our visibility to benefit this cause and make a change. There are new business models closer to the needs of communities which should be able to be put forward,” underlines M.me Méthot.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.