A new pet emergency clinic will be opening in July as a collaborative effort between area veterinarians and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. UF Veterinary Hospitals chief of staff Dana Zimmel says they were approached by private practicioners with the opportunity to create this facility.
The 5,000-square foot clinic will offer services to pet owners when their normal vet offices are closed.
Zimmel says this is an opportunity for the UF College of Veterinary Medicine to expand its reach beyond the Gainesville community.
Emergency medical care staff will be rotating between the UF Veterinary Hospital and the new facility in Ocala. Zimmel says UF has been able to expand its staff to accommodate the new clinic. She says the after-hours care facility will offer pet owners peace of mind that they'll have the same access to care that they would at their vet's office.
Zimmel says they are expecting the new clinic to be heavily used by Marion County pet owners. However, the facility will only serve cats, dogs and other small pets; they will not serve horses, goats or other large animals.