Wales' first dedicated exotic animal veterinary practice has opened following a six-figure investment.
The new Cardiff-based independently-run Origin Vets Clinic opened last month after securing a £300,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales.
Employing seven members of staff, the clinic is located in a 3,000 sq ft unit at the Riverbridge Business Park off Newport Road in the Welsh capital.
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It offers a full range of veterinary services solely for exotic exotic animals, rabbits and small mammals including consultations, husbandry, health checks, surgery, radiography and ultrasounds, investigative tests and beak and nail care.
There is also dedicated car parking, multiple consulting rooms, dedicated clinical wards for different types of species, an isolation room, diagnostic suite and two operating theatres.
Two qualified veterinary nurses, three full-time vets and two veterinary nursing assistants have been recruited to provide care, first-opinion and referral services. Placements for veterinary students from across the UK will also be provided.
The practice was launched by Dr Sophie Jenkins, a veterinary surgeon and advanced zoological medicine practitioner who previously provided peripatetic veterinary services in Pontypool, Bridgend and Cowbridge.
She also practised with independently run veterinary practice Origin Vets. The two practices will retain a close working relationship, referring cases depending upon respective specialisms.
Dr Jenkins said: "I was just four years old when I decided that I wanted to be an ‘animal doctor’. By the time I was 12, I had persuaded my parents to let me have my first exotic pet – a bearded dragon – and there started my fascination with exotic animals.
"I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2008 and went on to work in an Australian zoo before returning to Wales and completing my post-graduate certificate in exotic animals and achieving the status of advanced practitioner in zoological medicine."
She added: "There is a huge variety of exotic animals and they are becoming increasingly popular as pets yet there has been no dedicated clinic for their care in Wales. From being a small child I have dreamt of being a vet and having my own practice.
"The support of the Development Bank of Wales means that I’m now about to live the dream and open Wales’ very first dedicated and independently run exotic animal clinic. It’s brilliant and I’m very grateful to have such a great team to work with."
The financial backing was secured through the £500m Wales Flexible Investment Fund, which offers Welsh businesses loans, mezzanine finance and equity investment from £25,000 to £10 million. Terms of up to 15 years are available.
Emily Jones, a Development Bank investment executive, said: "Sophie is passionate about her work and is absolutely committed to developing a progressive and forward-thinking practice that is focussed on continuous improvement of animal care.
"She’s also helping to train the next generation of skilled practitioners in the care of exotic animals. We’re delighted that our investment has helped Sophie to open her first clinic in Wales."
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