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San Roque Pet Hospital Adds After-Hours Emergency Services
In response to the abrupt closure of California Animal Referral and Emergency (C.A.R.E.) Hospital, San Roque Pet Hospital, 3034 State St., announced Wednesday that it will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency services.
Last week, the owners of C.A.R.E. Hospital, 310 E. Haley St., announced that the company behind the operation will file for bankruptcy. It was the only specialty pet hospital between Ventura and Arroyo Grande, and 60 of the clinic’s employees were laid off.
Dr. Dave Dawson, owner and medical director at San Roque Pet Hospital, said the facility’s new hours will start Thursday, but are a short-term solution until another after-hours emergency pet care clinic can open.
He said the community has “cried out for it” since C.A.R.E.’s closing left local pet owners without a place to go for after-hours and weekend care.
“I’ve personally been concerned about my clients and the lack of emergency services for their pets,” Dawson told Noozhawk.
He said he also feels for the C.A.R.E. employees who lost their jobs, and he already has hired three of its emergency doctors to work at his hospital.
With extended hours, Dawson said he expects to hire 10 to 20 new employees. The hospital is open Monday through Friday for medical purposes, and its after-hours care will be for emergency services only.
After-hours staff shifts most likely will include one doctor and two or three support staff.
The San Roque Pet Hospital also offers boarding, some retail and year-old HydroPaws — the county’s first and only animal rehabilitation and performance center.
Dawson purchased the hospital in 2002, when it was a “sleepy little practice.” He said he most likely will be working a lot more in the near future, although he said he won’t be physically involved in the new emergency services.
Dawson said he didn’t know of any plans for a new specialty hospital, but said there was some discussion going on.
— Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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» on 12.30.09 @ 07:12 PM
With McDonald Animal Hospital making its clinic available for emergency care in addition to San Roque, I feel infinitely more hopeful that our animals will get the care they need when emergencies arise.
Heartfelt thanks to you both for stepping up and filling the void.
» on 12.30.09 @ 08:32 PM
The community owes Dr. Dawson a great vote of thanks.
» on 12.31.09 @ 01:33 AM
Thank you! And that goes double from the dogs…
» on 12.31.09 @ 02:42 AM
Folks, do not forget, these clinics are a business, and they see an opportunity.
But you all enjoy McDonald’s veterinary clinic. Hell, that place is state of the art as of 1962.
» on 12.31.09 @ 02:52 AM
I am very glad to hear that these animal hospitals in town are stepping up to fill he void left by CARE. I was also very appreciative of San Roque’s excellent and compassionate services for my cat when he was elderly and ill. He eventually passed away, and their handling of that was very sensitive and supportive as well.
RP, where is McDonald?
» on 12.31.09 @ 08:16 AM
Dr. David Dawson is a SANTA BARBARA HERO! What a relief, and heartfelt thanks we all feel! Thank you, Dr. Dawson! Hillary Hauser & Wolfy
» on 12.31.09 @ 09:23 AM
Thank You so much!
» on 12.31.09 @ 06:04 PM
Notice that McD didn’t say anything about hiring any of the CARE folks.
» on 12.31.09 @ 11:32 PM
If people were allowed to own dolphins, would this hospital accept us as patients?
» on 01.03.10 @ 08:14 PM
Sorry to report that my holiday weekend encounter with the emergency crew at San Roque was a lot like my recent experiences at CARE (same crew, remember). Slow but chaotic service, non-commnicative staff seeming not too well-trained, lots of expensive tests, no diagnosis. Unimpressive.
» on 01.04.10 @ 06:40 PM
If all Dr. Dawson does is import the staff, practices, and pricing from CARE, then he’ll make a ton of money and we will have no better emergency pet care than before. One would hope that he would provide some management and business savvy, if he has those things.
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