Vets4Pets, situated on Marlborough business park, has announced that it will close on May 30. On Friday afternoon (17 May) distressed dog owners with their pets mounted a protest outside the premises.
Frankie Watts is the owner of Doris the bloodhound and terriers, Marley and Ollie: “I’m so gutted. If you want someone to trust with your animals this is where to come. The team go above and beyond with treatment and aftercare.”
Frankie feels so strongly about the closure that she has started a petition for the surgery to stay open. The petition, posted on Marlborough Noticeboard on Facebook, has gathered two hundred and eight signatures in less than forty-eight hours.
Jo Sawyer told marlborough.news that her dog, Balloo, a one year old Malamute, would not be here today but for the care he received at Vets4Pets.
Sharon Lucas is the owner of ten year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lucy: “I can’t imagine taking her to another vet and having to put her through the trauma of seeing someone she’s not used to at her age. Dogs are like your babies, they’re part of your family.”
Owner of Missy the Cocker Spaniel, Rachel Gough, echoed the sentiments of everyone there: “I’m just so upset and disappointed. They are such lovely people and we are very sad to lose them.”
A spokesperson for Vets4Pets said: ”In line with the announcement that the business made to Joint Venture Partners, colleagues and shareholders in November of last year, we conducted a review of our practice estate and have taken the decision to buy back into company ownership, or close a small number of practices.
“Our Marlborough practice was in a location that fell into the small number of businesses that we took the decision to close, based on our view of the longer term viability of the practice.
“We are in the process of writing to all clients of the surgery and signposting them to the nearest Vets4Pets to be able to continue to provide the best veterinary care for their pets.
“However, we do recognise that a different Vets4Pets surgery will not be convenient for everyone and we do apologise for this.
“Importantly, we are working hard with all of our colleagues to try to offer alternative employment still within our group and we’re hopeful that there will be no redundancies.”