Apr2015_Old Mill is Going Green!
When you think of the historical Old Mill on Mt Mee Road in Dayboro, you think of the big brown barn and those recognisable red doors. Now another colour will spring to mind, since an all-encompassing fit out has made the site completely environmentally self-sufficient.
Owner and principal veterinarian, Dr Slade Walker, says that ‘going green’ was very important to him so the Mill can care not only for the animals that visit, but for the environment as a whole.
“We have always been conscious of our carbon footprint and our water usage, given it takes a huge amount of resources to keep our hospital facilities operating so smoothly. The hospital itself must be hygienically cleaned constantly and all the monitors and diagnostic equipment can really draw some power”.
It was only a matter of time then, before ‘the Mill’ had a roof surface area large enough to support a solar power grid of its own, and four on-site water tanks now supply the Hospital, the Old Mill Pet & Livestock Supplies, and the new Australian Centre for Equine Dentistry, with all their water needs. The Saturday special $5 hydrobathing is proving ever popular with the local dogs, so it is fantastic to know that all the water comes from the tanks on site, and the heating of the water is solar powered. Additionally, the appointment and annual reminder system has been integrated into an electronic platform, as every client has either a mobile phone or email address nowadays. This will save on thousands of paper letters every year and reduce our environmental impact further.
Despite the changes being a big financial investment, Dr Slade says it is something that all businesses should work towards. “At Old Mill Animal Hospital we are making a conscious decision on how we are operating our premises today, to impact the world tomorrow.”
Old Mill Animal Hospital
Ph 3425 2222.
