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Three veterinary hospitals have been named grand prize winners in dvm360’s 2024 Hospital Design360 Competition. These newly built or recently renovated facilities were each named Hospital of the Year in 3 structure size categories, and 7 more hospitals are receiving merit awards. All winners are being recognized for the quality and uniqueness of their layouts, decor, and amenities, as well as spaces that serve staff, clients, and patients well.

“With the highest number of submissions this year, these 3 winners did a fantastic job showcasing their outstanding veterinary hospital designs, setting a new benchmark for excellence in our profession,” said Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360. “Their arduous work, dedication, and passion for innovation are celebrated in each of these outstanding hospitals.”

The 3 grand prize winners will be presented with their awards on August 25, 2024, with a celebratory luncheon during the Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will also feature a panel discussion with the winning practice owners, as well as an architect and design expert.

’s John Hydrusko, vice president of sales at MJH Life Sciences, congratulated all the competition winners in a statement. “We are honored to add these incredible clinics into our Hospital Design winner’s circle. Creating a beautiful workspace for employees, clients, and pets they service is a true testament to exceptional veterinary care,” he said.

Blue Cross Animal Clinic (Images courtesy of Mattophoto architectural photography)

According to Ashlee Andrews, DVM, owner of Blue Cross Animal Clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, people do not like to drive far for veterinary appointments. So, in scouting the location for the first veterinary hospital she will be building from the ground up, after touring old banks and churches, she purchased a lot that was 3 minutes from her current hospital and began building Blue Cross Animal Clinic.

For Andrews, building a new clinic for her team, patients, and staff was needed. Their then 7-member veterinarian team had outgrown the previous space, so they ventured out to build one that would fit everyone, give the staff space they needed to both decompress and work, and provide a beautiful addition to the city of Albuquerque. However, the team began to face unexpected challenges before building the hospital, as they bought the lot right before the COVID-19 pandemic started.

“We just sat on [the lot] for a while because we didn’t know what was going to happen; there were supply chain issues and people weren’t working,” Andrews said. “Then [further] into [COVID-19], we had to completely change our price schedule because everything got more expensive during [the pandemic], and then [we had to] work to find staff and laborers [who] were working, so that delayed [us].”

Because she had previously only done renovations before this clinic, another unexpected challenge the hospital faced was making big decisions without seeing the space, such as deciding how many outlets the clinic would need and where things would be placed within examination rooms and common areas. Andrews said they were lucky because they worked with architects and builders who only worked in veterinary clinics, so they provided the guidance she needed to make her dream hospital come to life.

The new hospital itself features multiple unique features to benefit all those who enter. The team designed the facility’s quiet/relaxation room outside the larger break room that has calm lighting, puzzles, coloring books, and a small fountain to serve as a retreat for staff who need a breather from the chaos of a veterinary hospital. The front desk has enough room for 2 client service representatives to greet clients and immediately bring them to 1 of 12 exam rooms to minimize contact between patients and to minimize noise from the lobby. Andrews also explained that they designed the hallways within the clinic to prevent animals from being on top of each other when they are coming and going from the exam rooms. For Andrews, her favorite feature within the hospital is the “doctor fishbowl.”

“[The fishbowl] is a charting area for our techs and doctors in the middle of the treatment area. It has glass walls on every side and doors we can close. You can see the whole treatment area. You can see patients being induced. You can see dentals happening. You can see [patients] going into surgery, but it’s still quiet, so you can call owners to get your charts done. But if there’s a problem, you can see it, or the staff can wave at you. That’s something I’d seen at a previous hospital I worked at years ago—actually in a different country—and wanted to incorporate into our building,” Andrews said.

Andrews also shared that within the hospital, she is most proud of the space itself. The colors they used to decorate and the natural light are some things she takes pride in, as well as the euthanasia rooms. Within the hospital, the euthanasia room serves as a quiet place where clients can peacefully say goodbye and then use a separate exit so they do not have to walk through the lobby.

Through the design of the hospital, Andrews created a place for her community to take their pets and know they are getting excellent care in a safe space that meets the needs of its staff, patients, and clients, especially for those who did not want to have to travel farther than normal to them.

“[The community was] really excited. In the beginning, there was a lot of commentary about [it being] 3 minutes further away…[then] people saw that there was adequate parking and that the building was more spacious the way we’ve designed it. Clients are also roomed right away, so we don’t have a huge lobby. They come in and they’re immediately put into an exam room, [which] reduces the stress on the pet, it reduces the noise, [and] it reduces clients hearing other people’s business in the lobby. So, once clients came in, they were really impressed and have really seemed to enjoy it,” Andrews said.

Habitat Veterinary Hospital (Images courtesy Habitat Veterinary Hospital) 

Nearly 2 decades ago, a new space dedicated to creating a culture and environment where both pets and people could thrive would come to fruition. Aiming to defy the traditional design aesthetics of veterinary hospitals, Sohaila Maleki, DVM, and her husband, Reed Linenberger, DVM, set out to build a new practice that would bring peace and calm to its patients, clients, and staff through natural elements. This dream gave birth to Habitat Veterinary Hospital, an Idaho-based and independent veterinary hospital with locations in Ketchum and Boise—the latter of which is the 2024 winner of the 3500 to 8000 sq ft category for the Hospital Design360 Competition.

“Seventeen years ago, we reached this point where we were contemplating starting our own practice because we just couldn’t find a practice that we wanted to be a part of. All the practices sort of followed…these old elements of veterinary medicine, and the environment of the practice…wasn’t something that seemed to be really highlighted,” Maleki said in an interview with 

“We wanted [our practice] to be a place where pets and their people could come, and they would have everything they needed to not only survive but [also] thrive. For us, that was really important. Creating that sense of peace and calm with all the natural elements was very important because…that always brought a sense of grounding for us, so to bring that into our workplace was crucial for us,” she said.

Habitat Boise blends nature with its practice and the care it offers, with its giant windows, lively green walls and foliage throughout the reception and lobby area, outdoor exam rooms, an outdoor private patio and garden for its staff, and a location next to the Boise River. Its integration with the outdoors allows its clients and team alike to connect with the natural world, which is a vital option when staff and/or clients are facing difficult or high-stress moments.

The hospital’s outdoor exam room and gardens are accessible from the indoor exam rooms and from the parking lot, providing flexibility in how animals can enter the hospital. This setup aims to provide patients with a sense of peace by allowing them to freely move between indoor and outdoor spaces during their visit. “When a patient comes in and is nervous, sometimes just being able to be outside with them while doing our exam helps bring a sense of calm,” Maleki said.

Linenberger highlighted the positive effect the outdoor exam rooms have on the pet owners. “When they’re really stressed out, that sense of grounding…is important. They can…go outside and just take a deep breath [and] think about what’s happening,” he told 

“It also gives some opportunity for families…. If there’s a euthanasia happening and we want to make it a really calm, peaceful, and natural setting, we just lay a blanket outside, and we all go outside and it provides a less clinical [and] less formal setting,” Maleki said.

The hospital’s design, which was a collaboration with MD Architects, formerly known

Architectural Werks, also implemented an outdoor private patio and garden with a hammock for its team members, offering a calm retreat that supports relaxation and provides access to fresh air, which contributes to promoting their mental well-being while also providing an opportunity to socialize and strengthen team cohesion.

“For us, it’s a center to bring people together and [encourage] collaboration and connection,” Linenberger said. “[There’s] a big door that goes into a beautiful kitchen, and then a door that goes out to a garden…. When our team is having a particularly stressful day, they have a place to relax [and] take a minute for themselves.”

The building also has showers available for its staff, which encourages lunchtime physical activity and outdoor breaks, according to the owners.

The proximity to the Boise River and a greenbelt allows clients to access the hospital on foot and encourages the team to go for a walk on the greenbelt during breaks. “We also chose our location right on the Boise River because we wanted it to have really natural elements in our surroundings,” Maleki said. According to the couple, Habitat’s location also allows it to actively participate in community river cleanups and serve as stewards for Loggers Pond.

Integrating with Boise location’s natural, calming design, Maleki and Linenberger explained that their mission is to conserve the essence of veterinary medicine. “We really want to be a leader in not only creating that culture where people and pets thrive, but also [in] the industry, where we can say we’re working to help preserve the heart and soul of veterinary medicine. Because with…corporations taking over, we’re losing that peace. We’re losing that heart and soul of what makes veterinary medicine so special,” Maleki said. “I really want to help inspire other smaller ‘mom-and-pop’ practices out there to just keep going and to remember why we all started in this profession in the first place.”

Vet Vision Center (Image courtesy of Vet Vision Center)

Shelby Reinstein, DVM, MS, DACVO, owner and founder of Vet Vision Center, spent a decade working in a large, multispecialty, corporate practice as chief of the ophthalmology service. When she was ready to start creating the small specialty hospital of her dreams, she drew inspiration from educational lectures about hospital design that she had attended during a virtual Fetch dvm360 conference.

Notably, Reinstein recalled hearing Wayne Usiak, AIA, NCARB, founder of BDA Architecture, which specializes in animal health facilities, speak about the types of properties that are ideal for renovating a veterinary clinic. The talk made an impression on the veterinary ophthalmologist who had been unsure, at that point, of whether to build her hospital with new construction or through renovation.

“That’s one of the first things I was trying to figure out. I remember him saying that if you’re going to renovate a space, you need to keep in mind the infrastructure, the [electrical] power, and the water capacity. [Specifically], he said things like, ‘Restaurants make great veterinary hospitals because they have the power supply,’” Reinstein said in an interview with 

Expanding her search for a property to include those parameters led Reinstein to a former diner in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In addition to having power and water already in place, the property offered a generous parking space and a clearly defined entrance.

A landmark in Lambertville, the property has been a local focal point since the 1950s, and Reinstein said she wanted to use that sentiment to connect with her new community. While making cosmetic upgrades to the exterior, she and the team she worked with at Apex Design Build paid great attention to maintaining the structure’s existing style and made sure it was incorporated into the final aesthetic.

However, her plans for her dream hospital weren’t limited to infrastructure and the building’s history but extended to elevated and modern design concepts. “I wanted the Vet Vision Center to not only stand out as a specialty clinic but [also] be an example of how innovation in design can mesh with compassionate medicine to create a thriving business and a great place to work,” Reinstein wrote in her competition application.

As an ophthalmology-focused hospital, the design of the patient care spaces considered lighting choices for examination spaces. For example, cove ceilings help implement lighting that works well for examining patients’ eyes. “I knew I wanted lighting that was not directly above my patient, [which] makes the exam process better because you have completely dark space right around the animal,” Reinstein said, who also included red lighting in her plans.

Additionally, transom windows were placed strategically throughout the space to allow more natural light to flow in. She also kept the exterior windows that had been an iconic feature of the former diner. “I put a transom window into my primary my practice manager’s office and everywhere [else] I could put a window. If there was a wall and it could handle the window, I put one in because I wanted the connection of this space [to other spaces. You] can see out to the nurses station…[and] into sterilization,” Reinstein said.

Reinstein said she wanted a lot of natural light because it has a known positive effect on happiness for both humans and animals. “There are a lot of studies that show that certain light—for example, big tube lighting that people have overhead, and halogen light— flickers at a frequency that some dogs can perceive. It’s kind of a strobe light for dogs. So, [we are] understanding and trying to incorporate Fear Free concepts [to create] peace and tranquility. Natural light has been shown to reduce heart rate, cortisol [levels, and] stress hormone levels, [as well as] improve the rate of healing,” she said. “There were benefits for the people [who] work here, as well as the patients and the people attached to the patients.”

Although the abundance of natural light and inclusion of large windows offering views of the neighboring trees brought the outdoors inside, Reinstein also brought the indoors outside. An existing patio was used to create a fenced-in extension of the lobby that allows patients and clients to wait in a calming and safe environment. The inclusion of live greenery and a water fountain help to reduce auditory and visual stimuli, Reinstein said.

Indoors, the lobby captures Reinstein’s vision of providing a spa-like atmosphere with coffeehouse and minimalist aesthetics. A snack and beverage station and a layout that allows for species separation further elevates the reception area’s comfort and client experience, according to Reinstein.

The renovation of the former diner also allowed Vet Vision Center to use more environmentally friendly elements. When the heating and cooling system needed replacement, Reinstein had an energy-efficient system installed. Furthermore, many materials used were chosen for sustainability, such as solid surface countertops that last longer than laminate, recycled clay tile, and use of recyclable vinyl decals instead of paint. 

The 2024 Hospital Design360 Competition honors 3 grand prize winners and 7 merit award winners

Award winners show why hospital design matters

Digitail, an all-in-1 veterinary practice management software, has revealed new upgrades to its native artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Tails AI. The improvements allow for AI transcription across languages, smart summation of phone calls, and extraction and analysis of text in images and PDF files. The company’s goal is to increase efficiency on workflows and enhance patient care with these improvements.

“AI has immense potential to improve workflows in veterinary hospitals, and we are proud to be… leveraging AI on this advanced level,” Sebastian Gabor, CEO of Digitail, said in a news release.

 “AI translation is truly revolutionary, making veterinary care more inclusive and ensuring that essential information is accessible to a more diverse demographic. We are excited to bring these significant benefits to our clients, helping them enhance communication, increase efficiency, and focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks.”

Tails AI Dictation offers voice-to-text dictation for SOAP notes, exam summaries, and client communications. With this latest upgrade, the AI assistant supports multiple languages, and recordings can now be up to 20 minutes long.

 By removing language barriers, this upgrade makes veterinary care more accessible for everyone, and client education more effective, according to the company.

Digitail highlighted Tails AI Vision as another notable facet of the AI’s upgrade. The feature, granting the AI assistant the ability to extract, summarize, and analyze text from images and PDF files, can effectively serve as a stand-in for the traditional document scanner in veterinary practices. This seamless digitization of important documents, including handwritten notes and patient records, is intended to enhance accuracy and accessibility, and decrease risk of errors, in the processes of data entry and retrieval.

The introduction of smart summarization for phone logs allows Tails AI to serve veterinary practices in a receptionist-like role. The AI assistant can transcribe entire phone calls, while also taking notes of key points. Additionally, client phone calls are recorded and logged into their files, creating a more comprehensive medical history.

According to Kristian Sorbo, DVM, medical director at Mill Brook Animal Clinic in Arlington Massachusetts, this technology will be useful for maintaining complete medical histories for patients.

 In a Digitail blog post, he described a client who calls because their dog vomited once, for which a veterinarian might advise observation unless the issue persists. However, using the Tails AI smart summarization feature, a practitioner could discover 15 similar calls over a period of several years. Although one call might not stand out on its own, the greater patient log would raise concern and prompt a different course of action such as ordering an ultrasound to check for inflammatory bowel disease.

Digitail, cofounded by software developers and entrepreneurs Sebastian Gabor and Ruxandra Pui in 2018, set out to digitize and modernize pet care from its’ inception.

 The company takes pride in offering an efficient and user-friendly platform, so its incorporation of an AI assistant should come as no surprise. The latest upgrades to Tails AI contribute to the platform’s existing model of increased efficiency, saving veterinary practices some time with file management, so that they can spend more time helping clients.

Danylenko G. Digitail Introduces Upgrades to Its Native AI Assistant, Tails AI. News release. July 9, 2024. Accessed August 16, 2024. 

https://digitail.com/blog/digitail-introduces-upgrades-to-its-native-ai-assistant-tails-ai/

Danylenko G. Digitail Introduces Tails AI Vision: A Game-Changer for Record-Keeping. News release. August 7, 2024. Accessed August 16, 2024. 

https://digitail.com/blog/digitail-introduces-tails-ai-vision-a-game-changer-for-record-keeping/

Danylenko G. Revolutionizing Veterinary Record-Keeping: Dr. Sorbo’s Success with Tails AI. 

https://digitail.com/blog/revolutionizing-veterinary-record-keeping-dr-sorbos-success-with-tails-ai/

Digitail. About Us. Digitail. Accessed August 19, 2024. 

The latest updates to Digitail’s Tails AI include multi-language transcription, summarized phone calls, and text analysis from photos and PDF files

AI-powered veterinary assistant is upgraded

The RABORAL V-RG oral vaccine bait. (Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has begun its yearly distribution of RABORAL V-RG (Boehringer Ingelheim), an oral rabies vaccine bait.

 This distribution is in addition to the agency's 

 of the ONRAB (Ceva) oral rabies vaccine's efficacy and distribution techniques.

APHIS Wildlife Services (WS), who is distributing the RABORAL V-RG vaccine, is placing the bait in select areas in eastern US.

Distribution began around August 10. In rural areas, the vaccine bait was distributed via airplane. In urban areas, it was dispersed by helicopter, vehicle, and bait station. To appeal to animals, the RABORAL V-RG vaccine sachets are coated with a fishmeal attractant and are packaged in 2-inch plastic sachets or 1-inch square cubes.

WS and its partners will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits from airports in the following cities

In Northeast to Mid-Atlantic states during August

The Houlton, Maine, project: Will cover parts of northern Maine and distribute approximately 384,000 oral vaccine baits by airplane and vehicle.

The Buckhannon, West Virginia, project: Will include portions of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and a small area in southwestern Virginia, distributing approximately 508,000 oral vaccine baits by airplane and vehicle.

In Massachusetts from mid-September through mid-October

The Cape Cod, Massachusetts, project: Will cover parts of peninsular and mainland Massachusetts and distribute more than 70,000 baits by helicopter, bait station, and vehicle.

Southern states will be covered in October

The Abingdon, Virgina, project: Will cover parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and distribute more than 891,000 oral rabies vaccine baits by airplane, helicopter, and vehicle.

The Dalton, Georgia, project: Will cover areas in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, distributing approximately 865,000 baits by airplane and helicopter.

The Gadsden, Alabama, project: Will cover parts of Alabama, including the Greater Birmingham area, and distribute approximately 855,000 baits by airplane, helicopter, and vehicle.

The RABORAL V-RG vaccine is safe for a variety of animals, including domestic cats and dogs. However, ingesting a significant number of oral rabies vaccine baits can lead to an upset stomach in dogs, although there are no associated long-term health risks, according to the USDA. The USDA advises adults or children that come into contact with the baits to promptly rinse the affected area with warm water and soap.

In the US, rabies detection, prevention, and control can surpass $500 million each year, according to the USDA.

 Animals most affected by rabies in the country include bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. At least 7 out of 10 people in the US who die from rabies in the US were infected by bats, making contact with infected bats the primary cause of human rabies deaths.

Although rabies has a high death rate in humans, the disease is rare in humans in the US, with fewer than 10 human deaths from rabies being reported each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Still, rabies poses a serious threat to public health, as more than 90% of animal rabies cases happen in wildlife. Moreover, almost 3 in 4 Americans reside in areas where raccoons, skunks, or foxes carry rabies.

USDA begins 2024 oral rabies vaccination efforts targeting wildlife in eastern United States. News release. Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service. August 9, 2024. Accessed August 19, 2024. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-begins-2024-oral-rabies-vaccination-efforts-targeting-wildlife#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20Aug.,raccoon%20rabies%20into%20America's%20heartland

Bautista-Alejandre A. The USDA to continue field assessment of oral rabies vaccine for wildlife in 8 states. 

. July 30, 2024. Accessed August 19, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/the-usda-to-continue-field-assessment-of-oral-rabies-vaccine-for-wildlife-in-8-states

About rabies. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed August 19, 2024. 

https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about/index.html

Wildlife Services is placing the RABORAL V-RG oral vaccine bait in select areas in eastern United States.

USDA begins distributing oral rabies vaccine for wildlife

Photo Illustration: Looker Studio/Adobe Stock

Editor’s note: All names and businesses in this dilemma case are fictitious, but the scenario is based on real occurrences.

King Animal Hospital is a busy companion animal care facility. It is much like the thousands of other companion care hospitals throughout the United States. For many years, the hospital’s clientele was contacted through phone calls, postcards, and email. In 2024, things have become very different. Social media platforms are the primary avenue for informing and contacting pet owners. Along with this rapid and far-reaching ability to contact clients comes some obstacles. This form of communication is a 2-way street, allowing for nonclient input, which can be used as a tool or a weapon. 

The King Animal Hospital’s social media platforms were used for communications, clinic promotions, surveys, patient portals, and many administrative functions. One of the clinic staff members was assigned to administer and monitor all clinic social media platforms in conjunction with an information technology specialist. Recently, there had been reviews and comments on various clinic platforms that raised concerns for the hospital administrator. It is inevitable that occasional comments posted by clients online that are not flattering to a practice or a staff member will appear. When this occurs, there is a prompt response with an explanation that hopefully puts the issue to rest. However, recent postings were not simply clients mentioning issues of concern; there were also some cryptic online reviews and concerning Facebook posts. 

A Facebook posting criticized one of the clients and her behavior toward a professional staff member. Another posting implied that changes in clinic policy were not in the best interests of the pet patients. Additionally, some online reviews recommended areas that could be improved to make the animal hospital a friendlier environment. The administrator was able to conclude that these comments came from current clinic employees. It was disconcerting that feelings of this nature had to be voiced via the clinic’s social platforms. The administrator hoped that issues of this nature would be raised internally, and that everyone could work toward a satisfactory resolution. 

It was now necessary to outline the animal hospital’s protocol for staff members with regards to posting work-related commentary on public platforms. At the monthly staff meeting, the administrator spoke about staff participation on clinic-related social platforms. She went on to say that everyone’s input and opinions were valuable. Nevertheless, staff members airing their grievances online did not serve the best interests of the hospital. These opinions were certainly noteworthy but should be shared internally with fellow staff. This would more effectively lead to a resolution of these issues, she explained. Going forward, social media posts without administrative approval were prohibited. Some staff members felt that this was unfair and unnecessarily restrictive, but the administrator assured everyone that their issues would be addressed internally and fairly. 

The hospital administrator understood that it is a natural inclination in today’s world to casually post thoughts or suggestions on any number of social media platforms. The well-intentioned staff just had to be advised that the clinic had to present a united front to its clientele, allowing pet owners to be less anxious when dealing with beloved animals battling disease.

A veterinary facility can be both totally transparent while also not airing out its dirty laundry with the clientele. Workplace issues, medical protocol decisions, and client staff relations can be challenging at times. Staff members should be informed of the internal complaint processes. King Animal Hospital did not have an established process in place; as a result, the staff did some venting on social media. In today’s veterinary facilities, human resources rules and skills are just as important as medical challenges when it comes to running a functional productive workplace.

Having protocols in place for staff who publicly post about a practice may help mitigate problems

Social media: friend or foe?

Yeti and Zamboni, the first 2 manatees in the new rehabilitation center (Image courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) recently opened the doors of its brand-new Manatee Rehabilitation Center. The new state-of-the-art facility will accommodate the number of manatees that are sick, injured, or orphaned as well as manatees affected by boat strike wounds, ingestion of foreign objects, habitat loss, and entanglement and cold stress syndrome.

"Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been dedicated to the conservation and protection of manatees for over two decades. Thanks to our donors, guests, and sponsors, this vision is now a reality. We are the first responders of the ocean, from research to monitoring, and now rehabilitation. From international waters like Belize, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, to our own local Florida waters, we are ready to protect this keystone species," said Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, in an organizational release.

"By educating our visitors and supporting research and rescue efforts, we can make a real difference in the survival of these gentle giants. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to appreciate and admire manatees in their native waters."

The facility is equipped with some of the latest technology, including ozone treatment and medical habitats with false bottoms, and its surgical suite is currently being renovated, enlarged, and equipped with all manatees surgical needs.

 the first 2 patients recently welcomed and transported from ZooTampa at Lowry Park, a member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) along with CMA. There are currently multiple facilities in Florida that serve as critical care centers for manatees, including Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as well as Seaworld Orlando. Some of these facilities have at least 20 manatees receiving care at their facilities. By transferring manatees to the new rehabilitation center, it will alleviate the critical care bed spaces for these facilities.

One of the 2 first patients is Yeti, who was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission, ZooTampa, and US Fish and Wildlife in the Kings Bay, Citrus County Florida, in February 2024. Yeti was rescue at 205 centimeters long and weighed 365 points at the time of his rescue. He was originally rescued to treat cold stress, and has been moved to the new center to continue his treatment. He currently is 216 centimeters and 495 pounds.

The second patient is Zamboni, who was rescued by y Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and ZooTampa in Placida Bayou, Pinellas County, Florida, in January 2024. At the time of his rescue, he was 200 centimeters long and weighed 306 pounds. Like Yeti, he was brought in for cold stress and will continue his rehabilitation at the CMA rehabilitation center. Now Zamboni is 208 centimeters and 440 pounds.

"The opening of the manatee care center symbolizes a complete journey for us, years in the making. Having already played a vital role in rescue, research, and monitoring of manatees, we now step into the crucial realm of providing direct care for their recovery and survival," expressed James ‘Buddy’ Powell, PhD, chief zoological officer for CMA, and executive director of the CMA Research Institute (CMARI).

"Global research and hands-on care are intertwined. Through studying manatees both in the wild and within our facility, we gain invaluable insights into their needs and behaviors, empowering us to craft more effective conservation strategies. We are profoundly grateful to the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership for their partnership and shared commitment to saving this species,” Powel continued.

CMARI was created to broaden research and conservation of the CMA to help protect species and habitats locally and globally. Led by Powel, the team has worked to protect manatees across the world for over 50 years with scientific research and field study. As of August 12, 2024, the CMARI monitored and tagged 100 manatees for the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership. Researchers do not only monitor rehabilitated manatees, but study the movements of tagged wild ones throughout the US and Caribbean as well. This helps researchers understand migration pattern changes and shifts in habitats.

The funding for this project was from the State of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Duke Energy Foundation, John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program as well as numerous private donors.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Manatee Rehabilitation Center Is Now Open. News release. Clearwater Marine Aquarium. August 12, 2024. Accessed August 19, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clearwater-marine-aquariums-manatee-rehabilitation-center-is-now-open-302220186.html

The newly built center will provide care to orphaned, injured, or sick manatees