06/12/2011Posted : December 06, 2011
Companion Care Vets opens first new standalone surgery

Companion Care Vets has opened its first new standalone joint venture surgery in Ayr, Scotland. 

At 3,071 sq ft the £300,000 surgery is the largest of the group's 86 strong network and is the first standalone surgery to be opened under the joint venture partnership model that has been in place since 2001.
 
The surgery is located in a retail park environment, as are the in-store Pets at Home surgery sites, to ensure a superb location with easy access for clients and their pets. It is a full service practice featuring the latest equipment including digital x-ray machines and a full operating suite.
 
Managing director Jane Balmain said: "The opening of our first new standalone surgery in Ayr is a real milestone for us as a business because it opens up our offering to the vets and veterinary nurses who are interested in a joint venture partnership, but whose preference is to have a more traditional looking standalone surgery."
 
Although the Ayr surgery is standalone in its own right, the company's unique relationship with Pets at Home will see the surgery work in close partnership with the local branch, helping to drive client registrations and business development and further enable Pets at Home to develop the full pet care experience for its customers.
 
Jane added: "We believe that this new venture offers any potential partner the best of both worlds: a superb in-store surgery with footfall of thousands of customers a month, or a standalone new surgery linked to local store network to develop the business. I don't believe any other company can offer this unique proposition."
 
Veterinary surgeon Kirstin Fyfe, who is joint venture partner of the Ayr surgery, said: "I am extremely proud to be opening the first standalone surgery alongside the Companion Care team and the facilities available to my team and I and local pet owners are fantastic. The latest equipment, coupled with a spacious and modern waiting area and the convenience of our location is what makes this a winning formula."