Anicura Saint-roch Veterinary Clinic Unveils Expanded, State-of-the-Art Facility
La Rochelle, France – the Anicura Saint-Roch veterinary clinic, a fixture near downtown La Rochelle for 60 years, has significantly expanded its facilities, marking a new chapter in its commitment to animal care.
Grand Inauguration and Expansion Details
On March 27, the clinic celebrated the inauguration of its newly expanded premises. The project, spanning nearly three years, involved an extension from 900 to 1,600 square meters and a complete renovation of the original building on Rue de Dompierre. The investment in this ambitious project totaled between €1.5 million and €2 million.
Specialized Care Centers
The expansion has allowed for the creation of specialized care centers, including:
- oncology Pole: dedicated to managing chemotherapy treatments for animals.
- physiotherapy and Functional Rehabilitation Pole: Equipped with advanced technology, including an immersed pool.
Dr.Julien Charron, who leads the clinic, emphasized the importance of the new physiotherapy pole: This service dedicated to animal welfare aims to support patients in thier post-surgical recovery, to treat musculoskeletal disorders while improving the mobility of animals thanks to personalized rehabilitation techniques.
Did You Know?
Hydrotherapy, using immersed pools like the one at Anicura Saint-Roch, is a proven method for improving mobility and reducing pain in animals recovering from surgery or dealing with arthritis.
Enhanced Services and Staff Expansion
The expansion reinforces the clinic’s position as a leading veterinary center in the Charente-Maritime region. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including general medicine, surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, and neurosurgery. The clinic also boasts advanced equipment such as an imaging pole with angioscanner, an endoscopy block, and a cardiology room.
In 2024, the clinic welcomed 27,000 patients. Currently, 54 people are employed, including 24 veterinarians. The clinic anticipates hiring five additional staff members in the coming months to strengthen its surgery and emergency services.
Dedicated Emergency Services
The recent renovations included the creation of a dedicated reception area for emergency services. Launched in 2019, the service provides round-the-clock care for cats, dogs, and NAC (new pets), operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Pro Tip
Keep your pet’s emergency contact details readily available, including the phone number for Anicura Saint-roch’s 24/7 emergency service. Quick access to this information can save valuable time in a crisis.
Future Developments
The clinic is already planning further developments, indicating a continued commitment to growth and enhanced animal care.
Background: Anicura Network Integration
The Anicura Saint-Roch clinic joined the Anicura network in 2018. This integration was not without its challenges.
In 2020, the order of veterinarians initiated a review, expressing concerns about potential loss of independence and conflicts of interest, given that Anicura is part of the American group Mars Veterinary Health, which owns Royal Canin pet food. The clinic refuted these accusations, asserting the independence of the two subsidiaries.
The matter escalated to the Council of State but concluded with a conciliation agreement between the order of veterinarians, the groups involved, and the national union of veterinarians of liberal exercise. This agreement allowed the establishments to update their statutes. The Council of State is still expected to issue a decision regarding a suspension ban pronounced by the regional order, a decision contested by the practitioners involved.
