Owners of a Dundee veterinary surgery says they are “gutted” to close their Broughty Ferry branch after more than 30 years but stressed the decision was taken in the interests of animal welfare.
Parkside Veterinary Practice on Lawrence Street will close on Friday April 12 after decades providing care to local pets.
Bosses say “increasingly problematic” parking in the area meant customers often ran into difficulties trying to bring old and sick pets to the practice, causing stress to the animals.
It leaves the local group with two branches in the city at Barnhill and Lochee.
A new Arbroath branch will also open on April 22.
Pet owners, some of whom have been visiting the branch since it opened in the 1980s, have expressed their sadness at the news.
However, Alan Hill, director of Parkside Vet Group Ltd, said the decision would benefit customers and their pets.
“We are gutted to have to do this,” he said.
“It’s incredibly said after being here for more than 30 years.
“We have been dealing with loyal customers and looking after their pets for decades — seeing so many of their animals grow old in that time.
“But we are trying to reduce stress among pets visiting us and our other sites have free on-site parking.”
Mr Hill said another ongoing battle at the Ferry branch had been a lack of space which ultimately led to the decision to stop operating at this clinic.
“This has remained a problem and we feel that we can now offer better all-round facilities at our other branches,” he added.
People who have pets registered at the Ferry practice will not need to re-register elsewhere, as details are already shared with the other branches.
All staff will be relocated to the other branches meaning no employees will be made redundant.
Mr Hill added: “It is the end of an era.
“But it can be difficult for animals and we need to think about what is best for them.
“It seems a logical decision.
“I would like to thank all the wonderful pets and clients that we have known over many years at Broughty Ferry and that I hope we can continue to provide their veterinary care at our other purpose-built surgeries.”
