Unidos por Lanzarote Unidos por Lanzarote and La Graciosa proposes the creation of an Island Public Veterinary Center for Emergencies and Advanced Diagnostics, promoted and jointly financed by the Cabildo de Lanzarote and the seven town councils, to provide a stable response to a need that concerns numerous families on the island: having urgent veterinary care available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The party recalls that various public administrations have held meetings with representatives of the Official College of Veterinarians of Las Palmas to address this problem, but considers it necessary to move forward towards a concrete project, with a budget, timeline, and defined responsibilities.
"When an animal needs urgent attention, its family cannot be left without knowing where to go. An emergency does not understand schedules, weekends, or holidays."
A public infrastructure at the service of all of Lanzarote
The proposal includes two fundamental services:
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Veterinary emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A permanent service with veterinary professionals, auxiliary staff, facilities, and adequate equipment to handle emergencies, stabilize patients, perform urgent interventions, and provide necessary hospitalization.
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An island veterinary CT scanner. The incorporation of a computed tomography equipment to facilitate access to advanced diagnostic tests for dogs and cats, avoiding travel to Gran Canaria when these examinations are not available in Lanzarote. This service would be available to patients referred by any of the island's veterinary clinics, through a system of professional collaboration and at reasonable rates.
Public institutions are there to provide services and meet the needs of society
Unidos por Lanzarote considers that urgent veterinary care constitutes an island need that deserves a coordinated response from public administrations.
"Institutions are not there to obtain economic benefits from every service they provide. They are there to meet the needs of society, manage public resources responsibly, and guarantee services that improve people's quality of life."
The formation defends a model in which the fees paid by users contribute to covering operating expenses and participating administrations finance, when necessary, the remaining part.
In this way, a system of affordable prices and bonuses for vulnerable families could be studied, without compromising the continuity of the service.
"There are services whose importance cannot be measured solely by their economic revenue. Their true value lies in the peace of mind they offer families and the care they receive when they need it most."
A project that unites the island's veterinary professionals
The proposal arises from respect and recognition for the work that veterinarians and clinics in Lanzarote carry out daily.
A permanent emergency service requires specific organization, sufficient professional teams, shifts, regulatory breaks, and technical resources that allow care to be guaranteed throughout the year.
Therefore, Unidos por Lanzarote proposes an island infrastructure that allows these resources to be concentrated and to work in collaboration with existing veterinary centers.
The new center would be dedicated exclusively to emergencies and advanced diagnostics, without providing ordinary services such as vaccinations, scheduled appointments, or routine sterilizations.
"It is not about replacing anyone's work, but about joining forces. We want veterinary professionals in Lanzarote to find in this center a complementary resource to better serve their patients."
A veterinary CT scanner so our animals don't have to travel to another island
The formation highlights the importance of incorporating a veterinary CT scanner that allows advanced diagnostic tests to be performed in Lanzarote.
Currently, when certain examinations cannot be performed on the island, families must face travel to Gran Canaria, with the difficulties, expenses, and worry that this entails, especially when the animal is seriously ill.
"Imagine a family that has just received the news that their dog needs an urgent test and that, in addition to the anguish over its health status, they have to organize a trip to another island. We believe that Lanzarote should aspire to have these resources here."
The CT scan would be available to all veterinary clinics in Lanzarote through professional referral, with a system of reasonable public fees and equal access.
Eight administrations, a common goal
Unidos por Lanzarote proposes that the Cabildo lead the call for a working group with the seven town councils, the Official College of Veterinarians of Las Palmas, and representatives of veterinary professionals on the island.
The objective would be to immediately initiate legal, technical, and economic feasibility studies, determine the location, facilities, equipment, and staffing needs, as well as define a shared financing and management model.
The party considers it necessary to establish a concrete timeline for the development of the project and to study provisional measures that allow for improved emergency care while the future infrastructure is developed.
"If we are able to coordinate resources among eight administrations, we can study a stable island-wide response. The important thing now is to stop postponing decisions and start working on a real project."
Animal welfare is also a public responsibility
Unidos por Lanzarote y La Graciosa concludes with a message addressed to the administrations:
"Our animals are part of our families. They accompany us for years, offer us affection and companionship, and depend on us when they get sick. They deserve that we do everything possible to guarantee them adequate care."
"Public institutions exist to respond to the needs of society. When a need affects an entire island, it deserves an island-wide solution, with collaboration, financing, and shared responsibility."
"We are not asking for the center to be built tomorrow. We are asking for serious work to begin tomorrow to make it a reality, with studies, budgets, deadlines, and concrete commitments."
"Because a veterinary emergency does not understand schedules, and animal welfare should never be left as a promise."
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