There’s good news for pet owners in Portage la Prairie.
Eight months after the closure of the Portage Veterinary Hospital left a gap in local animal care, two Manitoba veterinarians are stepping in to fill that need. Dr. Marie North and Dr. Rebecca Zettler have announced plans to open a new pet clinic, Prairie Vet, on Saskatchewan Ave.
“We’ve leased a unit just east of the MPI building, at 1941 Saskatchewan Ave West," says Dr. Marie North, who currently owns and operates Carberry Small Animal Veterinary Clinic. "We’re working hard to have the clinic up and running by October or November.”
The announcement will come as a welcome relief to many residents, particularly those who’ve been travelling out of town to access basic veterinary care since the Portage Veterinary Hospital closed last fall. That closure came after the sudden passing of longtime Portage vet Dr. Tammy Dunbar, and the Dunbar family was unable to find a licensed veterinarian to take over the clinic.
The shortage of vets across Manitoba was a key reason behind the shutdown. But now, with two experienced practitioners at the helm, Prairie Vet promises to bring local pet care back to the community.
Dr. North and Dr. Zettler have worked together in remote northern clinics and share a long-standing professional connection. Zettler, who previously worked alongside Dr. Dunbar in Portage, also operates Zettler Veterinary Services in Treherne. The two veterinarians are co-owners of Prairie Vet and will rotate between locations.
“We’re planning to be open five days a week in Portage. Both of us will be working out of Portage in addition to our current clinics. It’s going to be double duty, but we’re hoping to bring in another vet or two to help staff the new clinic," she notes.
The pair decided to open Prairie Vet after stepping in temporarily to support clients and staff following Dr. Dunbar’s death.
“After she passed, I was working in Portage, trying to bridge the gap while the estate figured out what would happen with the clinic. I got to know the staff and clients and quickly recognized there was still a strong need in the community,” she explains.
Rather than trying to take over the existing clinic, they opted for a fresh start.
“It’s been empowering to do this from a small business perspective and to work with other local businesses to support the Portage area,” she adds. “I built the Carberry clinic from the ground up, and I very much enjoyed developing, planning, and building a new business, so I’m embracing this challenge.”
Dr. Zettler is equally committed to bringing quality care back to the area.
“Dr. Zettler practices some fantastic medicine, and she's worked in that area with Dr. Dunbar for years. I’m originally from Elie, so I know the area well,” she continues. “We both provide great care and provide a lot of options to clients, so we're happy to be bringing that standard of care back to Portage.”
The name Prairie Vet reflects both the rural setting and their shared commitment to serving small-town Manitoba. While the finishing touches are still being added to the space, the team is confident they’ll be ready to open this fall.
“We're excited for this new chapter, and we are sure we’re going to do some great things in Portage.”
Prairie Vet will release more details, including hours of operation and contact information, closer to opening day.
For now, residents can rest a little easier knowing that help for their furry family members is, once again, on the way.
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