Pets n Vets has moved its Queenstown premises from Gorge Rd to a new clinic and pet store almost four times the size at Terrace Junction.
The clinic was built to New Zealand Veterinary Association standards and boasts comprehensive medical and surgical veterinary equipment, including X-ray, laboratory, dental, ultrasound, electrocardiogram and blood-pressure monitoring facilities.
It also sell cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, rats and mice, as well as a range of freshwater and tropical fish.
Products for the welfare of all household pets line the shelves.
Dr Ngaire Dixon, co-director of Pets n Vets with Ashburton-based Dr Gabrielle Thompson, launched the company in January 2008.
Dr Dixon said the Queenstown move and upgrade had always been in the pipeline.
"Queenstown has always needed a facility for total healthcare for pets and it's a concept that's very dear to our hearts.
"There's nothing like this in Queenstown.
"It's providing a full service with specialist equipment and fully trained staff."
Dr Dixon, Dr Tamasin Smith, Dr Lucy Gladwin, veterinary nurse Claire Temperton and veterinary technician Alexandra Heim, plus front-of-house staff Fiona Ross and Danielle McGregor, are transferring to the Terrace Junction clinic.
Personnel at the Gorge Rd facility will direct pet owners to the new clinic and sell pet food until April 1.
The prime location of the Terrace Junction development and its 120 ground level and underground car parks were factors in the company moving to Frankton, Dr Dixon said.
The Terrace Junction clinic was built to the same standard as the Pets n Vets clinics in Ashburton and Christchurch.
The company planned to upgrade its Cromwell clinic and build a facility in Mosgiel this year.
"There is an increasing demand for veterinary services and the welfare of animals is becoming much more important to people," Dr Dixon said.
"We place a big emphasis on pet medical insurance, which a lot of clinics aren't doing.
"Total healthcare for pets is not a job; it's a passion for anyone who works here."
