‘Profit prioritised over welfare’: UK’s premier exotic animal hospital to close
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<p>Pet owners fear there is no viable alternative service after Great Western Exotics owner deems business unviable</p><p>On a nondescript industrial estate on the outskirts of Swindon, visitors may hear a faint squawking in the distance as bird lovers from Exeter to Edinburgh bring their brightly coloured budgies and macaws to an exotic animal hospital.</p><p>But now, the UK’s premier parrot surgery, which treats all kinds of creatures, is to be shut down after it
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‘Profit prioritised over welfare’: UK’s premier exotic animal hospital to close Pet owners fear there is no viable alternative service after Great Western Exotics owner deems business unviable O n a nondescript industrial estate on the outskirts of Swindon , visitors may hear a faint squawking in the distance as bird lovers from Exeter to Edinburgh bring their brightly coloured budgies and macaws to an exotic animal hospital. But now, the UK’s premier parrot surgery, which treats all kinds of creatures, is to be shut down after it was bought out by a conglomerate that has decided the business is not viable. Last month, clients and staff at Great Western Exotics were given six weeks’ notice that the veterinary practice was closing. This has plunged the bird world into turmoil as there are fears there are no viable alternatives for the animals on the referral list. Founded by the internationally renowned avian vet Dr Neil Forbes in 2004, the vet group was bought by the large company Vets Now, part of the conglomerate IVC Evidensia. The Financial Times reported on Thursday that IVC, which was valued at £11bn in 2021, is preparing for a stock market valuation. This development comes as the Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the veterinary sector amid fears large corporations are buying up practices, limiting choice and driving up costs. IVC is one of five vet chains that have bought more than 1,800 UK practices over the past decade, according to the CMA. The regulator says vet fees have risen by more than 60% in seven years. Mary Parsons brings her flock of peacocks to Great Western Exotics when they need an operation or a checkup. She drives three hours from Bedfordshire. “They do anything, they do blood transfusions for birds, CT scans, ultrasounds, they are in a different league,” she said. “I am worried that animals will die. They should never have let corporates buy up veterinary practices – it’s been a disaster.” On Tuesday morning, the clinic, whi...
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