Performing 1,700 surgeries a year, the Coastal Humane Society and its partner, Lincoln County Animal Shelter, were in need of additional clinical space to serve their communities. The current medical space and equipment at both shelters were in need of updating, but a new mobile surgery van is a practical solution to serve both locations.

Shelter veterinarian Dr. Mandie Wehr has been performing surgeries for both shelters in a 6-by-8-foot space in dire need of updating. The two shelters serve a combined 3,500 animals a year from Falmouth to Somerville, covering nearly 40 towns. The shelters also assist animals through a low-cost clinic and pet assistance program.

Building new clinics in two locations would be costly, but the new mobile surgery unit is described by Coastal as “the perfect solution.”

The van will operate according to a schedule that will determine when the van will be at each shelter. Wehr, who has been at the shelter for six years, said the mobile unit will decrease stress to the animals housed in Edgecomb, because they will not need to be transported to another location for surgery. The van will also increase efficiency and contribute to improved recovery time.

The mobile nature of the surgery unit was practical given the shelter partnership, and the quality of care able to be provided with the van, including X-ray equipment.

Raising $240,000 from a grant from the Petco Foundation, an anonymous matching gift and additional donations, the van was acquired and arrived earlier this week. It will be ready for use in about two weeks, said Wehr, adding the generosity shown to the shelter during the fundraising was amazing.

The van includes two surgery tables, an anesthesiology machine, diagnostic hardware and recovery kennels. Wehr said she is unaware of other shelters in Maine that operate with a similar system.

Wehr said the team is incredibly excited about the addition, which is equipped to provide more emergency services.

Wehr said she performs about 30 surgeries a day. Meanwhile, the shelters are experiencing an influx of orphaned kittens — including two gray kittens Floof and Ploof, who were the first to lounge in the van’s kennel, as seen during a tour Thursday.

Wehr said the shelters will be better able to provide services to their animals, and the addition of the mobile unit will limit the use of local animal clinics to provide clinical care. Wehr said although the shelter has been very lucky to partner with local veterinarians who have been generous and supportive with their time, it can be difficult as they have their own patients who are a priority.

“It’s a game changer for us,” she said.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com