Update – Closure Confirmed (2 April 2026)

Update – Closure Confirmed (2 April 2026)

We have now received confirmation from Vets Now that Great Western Exotics will close on 2 April 2026.

In their response, they state that “no viable alternative could be found” following a review, including a potential sale of the business.

They also state that “consumer need for specialist exotic and avian veterinary services is rare” and that this has impacted the ability to sustain a dedicated centre.

This raises serious questions.

Great Western Exotics is a national referral centre, relied upon by veterinary practices across the UK for complex and emergency cases. Feedback from veterinary professionals indicates that demand for specialist support already exceeds available capacity in many areas.

Vets Now have signposted alternative practices within approximately a 60-minute drive. However, there is no evidence that these services have been assessed for capacity, capability, or their ability to provide equivalent specialist, 24/7 care. We are also aware that at least one previously identified provider is not currently accepting exotic referrals.

Their statement further notes that first opinion veterinary practices will remain responsible for the ongoing care of exotic species. This represents a significant shift away from specialist-led referral care, without clarity on how complex or high-risk cases will be supported.

Despite repeated requests, no response has been provided to questions regarding:

• Continuity of care for existing patients
• Referral capacity within alternative services
• Assessment of animal welfare impact

How these decisions have been made

Clients have also not been directly informed of key developments, including the change to the proposed closure date, which many have only learned through media reporting.

The central concerns raised throughout this petition — around continuity of care, referral capacity, and animal welfare — remain unresolved.

This situation also raises broader questions about how decisions affecting specialist veterinary services are made within corporate ownership structures, and how clinical, welfare and infrastructure considerations are assessed and communicated.

If you are concerned about the loss of specialist veterinary provision, training capacity, and the wider implications for animal welfare, we would encourage you to raise this with your local MP.

Corporate ownership of veterinary practices is not unique to the UK, but the scale and pace of consolidation here raises important questions about how decisions affecting clinical services and infrastructure are made, and the extent to which those decisions are driven by clinical versus corporate priorities.

With the closure now confirmed, this petition has reached its conclusion. Thank you to everyone who has supported this petition.