Construction on first small animal hospital begins

Guernsey's oldest veterinary practice has announced work is under way to create the island's first small animal hospital for pets and horses.

Isabelle Vets, which has branches in St Peter Port and L'Islet, said it had received planning permission for a state-of-the art facility in St Sampson in August 2025.

It said construction work had started at an industrial unit at Garenne Park, St Sampson.

The vets said once work was completed in December the practice would apply to the Veterinary Surgeons for RCVS Small Animal Veterinary Hospital accreditation.

Isabelle Vets said the new facility was expected to open in January 2027.

The new practice will include six consulting rooms, four operating theatres, separate waiting areas for cats and dogs, 13 kennels and a 20 space cattery, a CT scanner, dental and x-ray facilities, a pharmacy, parking for clients and horse boxes and allocated space for an MRI.

The company said: "As well as a major boost for pet owners, it will revolutionise the care they are able to provide for horses as owners will no longer have to transport their horses by ferry to the UK mainland for most equine services."

It added with the proposed specialist facility, visiting equine specialists would be able to operate on site and there would be four stables to care for hospitalised horses.

Doreen Munn-Litten, Isabelle Vets clinical director, said: "We know how important pets and horses are to the people who own and care for them, which is why delivering exceptional treatment and continuous support is central to our approach.

"The new practice will allow our teams to monitor and care for patients around the clock, ensuring they receive dedicated attention at every stage of recovery."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.