SAVE staff plan to open 24-hour veterinary hospital in Okotoks after clinic closure

Staff at Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency (SAVE) are planning to open their own 24-hour veterinary hospital in Okotoks after the clinic closes August 31.

SAVE practice manager Cheryl Brown said employees recognize the urgent need for emergency vet services in the town. "No one wants to have to drive all the way into Calgary when there's an emergency with their pet," she said.

The team is hoping to take over SAVE's current location at the north end of town, but they're prepared to find an alternative site if needed. Brown said they're targeting a central location near the highway to serve people from Calgary, High River, and surrounding areas.

While the staff is confident most current employees will join the new practice, Brown said they need outside support to make it happen. "We're looking for people to volunteer or just to even reach out to help us," she said. The team is seeking investors, a real estate lawyer, and someone to help develop the business plan.

Community response has been strong. "We were actually really quite blown away with all the community support," Brown said. "Even if we have to change the name slightly or move somewhere else, the need is there, and people will find us, and we're confident that it would work."

Brown noted the team is in early stages and working through logistics. "We're just trying to get the ball rolling, trying to see what all we need to figure out," she said.

SAVE is owned by VetStrategy, which operates several clinics in Okotoks. A month ago, VetStrategy announced it was closing SAVE to review its operations and ensure clinics are "fully resourced to deliver consistent, high-quality care."

Anyone interested in helping with legal, real estate, location, or investment matters can contact Brown at cheryl.brown465@gmail.com.