Spartanburg emergency care pet hospital closes, Greenville hospital taking on cases

A Spartanburg emergency care pet hospital has closed and pet owners are being referred to a Greenville emergency veterinary center that is open 24 hours a day.

Care Animal Regional Emergency Clinic of Spartanburg on South Blackstock Road announced on its website Monday that as of Sunday, July 24, it is permanently closed.

Mariya Barnes, spokesperson for Thrive Pet Healthcare of Austin, Texas, which owns Care Animal, said the hospital was closed due to a staffing shortage.

"Many hospitals across the nation have been experiencing staff shortages," she said Tuesday. "Our hospital has been working reduced hours for a year."

She said there are no plans to reopen Care Animal in Spartanburg.

As a result of the closure, Upstate Vet Emergency & Specialty Care of 393 Woods Lake Road, near Haywood Mall in Greenville, is accepting pet emergency cases at its hospital, according to Melissa Wylie, a spokeswoman for Upstate Vet.

Care Animal Regional Emergency Clinic of Spartanburg close its doors as of Sunday.
Care Animal Regional Emergency Clinic of Spartanburg close its doors as of Sunday.

Wylie said her staff was aware that Care Animal in Spartanburg was closing, and agreed to accept its clients.

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"There are other emergency hospitals (in the Upstate) but they don't have an overnight facility," Wylie said. "We're here to provide the best patient care and be readily available as best we can, as with any emergency."

She said Upstate Vet is open 24 hours a day daily. It is not affiliated with Care Animal, she said.

Upstate Vet can be reached at 864-233-7650.

A notice posted Monday on the website of Care Animal Regional Emergency Clinic of Spartanburg.
A notice posted Monday on the website of Care Animal Regional Emergency Clinic of Spartanburg.

Meanwhile, Critter Care Pet Wellness & Rehabilitation Center is located in the same building that Care Animal was at 121 S. Blackstock Road, and is still open for business.

Critter Care owner Lynn Mornane said Critter Care offers a wide range of veterinary services as well as pet therapy.

It is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Care Animal pet hospital in Spartanburg closes, Upstate Vet available