Custom ambulance transports pets

A refurbished ambulance transfers referral patients between WestVet Emergency Center in Meridian, Idaho, and nearby practices. WestVet purchased the rig from an ambulance-refurbishing company for $8,000. Modifications, taxes, and insurance added another $2,000. Contractors added oxygen flow meters, shelving, permanent straps for kennel transport, and a gurney and mattress. They also disabled the siren, replaced the red lights with amber lights, and added the WestVet name and logo. Initially, the refurbishing company told the WestVet team they could run the lights while pets were in transport—but the police later told them they couldn't. Besides transporting critical care patients, Ann Selander, CVT, CVPM, MBA, WestVet's hospital administrator, says the biggest benefit is the marketing splash the ambulance makes at local events.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANN SELANDER