Residents of Portage la Prairie are struggling with the potential closure of the Portage veterinary clinic after the passing of Dr. Dunbar, a long-time local veterinarian. The clinic, which has served the community for many years, has been a trusted provider of care for pets, offering everything from routine check-ups, prescription services, and surgeries.
Maggie Wilman, a local pet owner, shared her concerns after learning of the possible closure. She had contacted the clinic to renew her dog Ginger's prescription when the receptionist informed her of Dr. Dunbar's passing. Wilman was told that the family was still considering offers to take over the practice, but as of then, no decision had been made. The receptionist suggested that pet owners could seek services at nearby clinics in Treherne, Gladstone, Carberry, and Saint Claude.
Days later, Wilman received an email with her dog's medical records and a notice stating that the clinic was likely to close on November 19.
"I was relieved that they gave me a heads-up," Maggie said, adding that she was able to get a six-month supply of medication for her dog to give her time to make arrangements. But, like many in Portage la Prairie, Wilman expressed concern about the future of local veterinary care.
The loss of a local clinic could have a profound impact on the community. The need for accessible veterinary services is high; Wilman noted that in a town of this size, there is a strong demand for veterinary care, and ideally, the community could support more than one veterinary practice.
"If something happens to one practice, what are we going to do? We need a backup."
For residents who rely on the clinic, the prospect of traveling to nearby towns for veterinary care could pose a significant challenge. For those with limited mobility or no access to transportation, the situation becomes even more complicated. Wilman also raised concerns about how the closure might affect the Portage Animal Welfare Society, which could face increased costs and logistical hurdles if they have to transport animals to distant clinics for care.
Wilman suggested that the city of Portage la Prairie might want to explore ways to attract new veterinarians to the area, such as offering incentives like property tax relief for new practices. She believes that having more than one veterinary office in town would help mitigate the risks of such a situation happening again in the future.
As the community awaits further updates, pet owners like Wilman hope that a solution can be found to preserve access to vital veterinary services in Portage la Prairie.