A veterinary clinic and surgery center in Mississippi has relocated to a larger location in Hernando, a move that totaled $2.19 million. Meanwhile, a mobile vaccination clinic is offering affordable services to the residents of Austin, Texas. In Canada, a pet food company is getting ready to make its products available to the United States with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Montreal.

Continue reading to learn more about these facilities.

Hernando Animal Clinic & Surgery Center (Hernando, Mississippi)

The city of Hernando, Mississippi, has a new 2500 sq ft clinic: the Hernando Animal Clinic & Surgery Center. The opening of the new center, which is more than 3 times the size of the clinic’s prior location, involved a $950,000 building purchase and $1.235 million in renovations, according to Terravet Real Estate Solutions, a veterinary property real estate group that helped finance the clinic’s new location.

According to a news release, the move to the new facility brought Hernando Animal Clinic into compliance with current ADA standards. In addition to having more exam rooms, the clinic’s latest location has higher parking availability for clients. Terravet also said the new building includes a subtenant that could be vacated for future expansion.

“The new space allows us to provide a higher level of care and meet ongoing demand from pet owners in the northwest Mississippi region,” Mark Ziller, owner of Hernando Animal Clinic and president and CEO of Innovetive Petcare, said in the news release.

Low Cost Pet Vax, a mobile vaccination clinic service, has brought its unit to Austin, Texas, providing pet owners in the area with opportunities for pet vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, heartworm testing, deworming, and microchipping. According to the organization, all of its veterinary services are administered by veterinary technicians and licensed veterinarians. In an announcement on its clinic expansion, Low Cost Pet Vax acknowledged the rising cost of veterinary services and the large number of unvaccinated pets in Texas, saying its goal is to “bridge the gap by making preventive care accessible.”

"We use the same quality vaccinations as a full-service provider but without charging extra fees for an exam or appointment, keeping prices affordable for pet owners,” Theodore Fausak, Low Cost Pet Vax's Austin operations manager, said in the announcement.

"We want to give every pet in Austin the opportunity to receive needed life-saving vaccinations and preventative care without financial barriers," added Rod Munsell, DVM, founder of Low Cost Pet Vax.

Formula Raw manufacturing facility (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

The Canadian-based pet food company Formula Raw recently announced the opening of a new 15,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. According to the company, the facility will quadruple its freeze-dried pet food production from 7500 kg to more than 30,000 kg, allowing it to bring its products to the US.

“Certified by CFIA, MAPAQ and with USDA export approval now secured, Formula Raw's...Canadian-made freeze-dried food and treats for dogs and cats are officially entering the US market,” the company wrote in an announcement.

Currently, the company ships to Asia and is expanding into Europe and the United Arab Emirates, and is looking for US retail and distribution partners for its expansion to the US. "What started in a tiny facility is now a nationally recognized brand...,” Dimitri Manousos, cofounder of Formula Raw, said in a company news release.

Terravet Real Estate Solutions opens renovated $2.19 million Hernando Animal Clinic following strategic acquisition and expansion. News release. Terravet Real Estate Solutions. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250731226064/en/Terravet-Real-Estate-Solutions-Opens-Renovated-%242.19-Million-Hernando-Animal-Clinic-Following-Strategic-Acquisition-and-Expansion

Affordable pet healthcare provider Low Cost Pet Vax launches pet vaccination clinics in Austin, TX. News release. Low Cost Pet Vax. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/affordable-pet-healthcare-provider-low-cost-pet-vax-launches-pet-vaccination-clinics-in-austin-tx-302519084.html

Formula Raw unveils state-of-the-art 15,000 sq ft USDA-approved facility, bringing premium Canadian pet food to the U.S. News release. Formula Raw Inc. August 6, 2025. Accessed August 20, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/formula-raw-unveils-state-of-the-art-15-000-sq-ft-usda-approved-facility-bringing-premium-canadian-pet-food-to-the-us-302522026.html

Articles

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments and platforms.

Clinic center: Canadian pet food company opens facility ahead of US market entry, and more

Charlotte Weir with Roo relief veterinary services discusses what makes a clinic or hospital's culture in a dvm360 interview.

Identifying the DNA of a practice

What is ‘practice DNA’ and what defines it? Charlotte Weir, vice president of hospital success and industry relations at Roo, will share with attendees at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, her insights on how aligning relief professionals with their clinic’s mission, workflow, and culture leads to more seamless integration, stronger teams, and better patient care, during the continuing education session she will present. The session aims to guide veterinary professionals in creating workplace environments that attract top relief talent, reduce burnout, and support long-term hospital success. In a 

interview, Weir discusses some of the characteristics of practice DNA and how it can be used as a tool for success.

The following is a transcript of the video

: Every practice has its own unique DNA, its own unique identity—its own culture, the values, the way your team interacts, the services you offer, client experiences you create. It's sort of what makes your practice yours and no one else's. When we understand what our DNA is, we can better align our staff, relief veterinarians and even our workflows to make our hospitals thrive.

It’s really important to know your practice DNA, define it, communicate it, and just celebrate it. When you understand what makes your practice unique, you create a better environment for your staff, your relief vets, and ultimately, your patients.

Relief veterinarians, succeed when they're treated like true team members, not outsiders. So that's the big takeaway, right? Let's celebrate your success, lend that success to others and partner in that success together.

For more information about the Fetch dvm360 Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, and to register for the 2025 event, 

Videos

Charlotte Weir, vice president of hospital success and industry relations for the relief veterinary service Roo, will discuss what makes a clinic or hospital's culture at the 2025 Fetch Kansas City conference.

Hannah Inman is a veterinary assistant at York Veterinary Services in York County, South Carolina. She is currently working toward becoming a licensed registered veterinary technician. Originally from Tennessee, Inman grew up on a large farm, where she helped raise and breed horses. Initially an aspiring mechanic, Inman stepped into the veterinary profession after giving birth to her daughter and moving away from her home state. According to Inman, her shift into veterinary medicine was primarily driven by her passion for horses and her goal of becoming a licensed veterinary technician specializing in equine care.

“I used to want to be a mechanic. I left Tennessee with my husband, and that's when I got into the veterinary career. I started working at a clinic with no experience, starting at like $10 an hour. It was a very toxic clinic that I stayed at for 2 years until I moved out of there and [started] working [here], which [is much] better,” Inman said in an interview with 

. “I've been trying the last couple of years to get my license to become a registered technician because I can't see myself doing anything else other than horses.”

“I do love small animal [practice], but eventually, if I had a goal to set, then I would want to work with horses only,” she continued. “I grew up [with] horses and riding horses and training horses, and [they’re] just a passion for me that’ll never die.”

When asked what inspires her to go to work every morning, Inman said, “First, partially my daughter. She really loves the idea of being a vet—I try to make that something that hopefully she will want to do when she's older and be successful at—and then also just being able to work with the people that I work with.”

On learning she had been nominated as a 2025 Veterinary Hero, Inman said it was something she “never thought would happen” and that she is very grateful for it. When asked what advice she had for aspiring veterinary assistants or anyone wanting to enter the profession, Inman said, “Just do your best and try to get your foot in the door and be as willing and helpful as you can. That’s all you can do to work your way up.”

Hannah Inman wins the 2025 dvm360 Veterinary Hero award in the veterinary paraprofessional (non-credentialed support staff) category.

2025 Veterinary Heroes: Hannah Inman (Veterinary paraprofessional)

The first comprehensive publications on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in veterinary medicine are now free and permanently accessible online, according to a news release by the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA).

 The collections, published by Elsevier, comprise “Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine,” Parts 1 and 2.

According to the MCVMA, the 2-part collection consists of 20 review articles and editorials written by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, social workers, and educators. The books contain contributions from well-known voices in the veterinary industry, such as 

recent American Veterinary Medical Association Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Michael Blackwell, DVM, MPH

; Vernard Hodges, DVM; Coretta Patterson, DVM, DACVIM-SA; Katherine Fogelberg, DVM, PhD, MA; and Stephen Niño Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, CVPP, VTS-LAM.

Some of the articles in the collection include

Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Veterinary Team

Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Impact in Veterinary Medicine

What does it Mean to be White in Veterinary Medicine?

The Owner Will See You Now: The Road to Entrepreneurship for Diverse Veterinarians

Editorial: Creating an Inclusive Experience or Veterinary Clients

Bridging Gaps in Veterinary Care: Equity, Access, and Innovation

Diversifying the Veterinary Technician (VTS) Pipeline

“This publication spotlights an extraordinary group of authors whose lived experiences and professional insights will continue to shape diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine,” Christina V. Tran, DVM, editor of the collection, MCVMA past president, and founding dean of Hanover College School of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Indiana, said in the release.

 “Each topic was carefully selected to reflect the evolving needs of our profession, ranging from inclusive mentorship and access to care, to the intersectionality of race, gender, and identity in clinical and educational settings.”

The collections mark the first scholarly works focused only on DEI in veterinary medicine, with the publications representing “not just a collection of voices, but a call to action for a more equitable and inclusive future in veterinary medicine,” according to Tran.

In the MCVMA announcement, the organization called the now permanently open-access works “an essential step in addressing the systemic inequities affecting both professionals and clients within the field.”

Permanent open access to the 2 works was purchased by MCVMA in June 2025 with the help of a grant from Maddie’s Fund, an animal welfare foundation. The publications’ open access standing allows the public to freely read, download, cite, and share their contents with no restriction, giving access to veterinary professionals, educators, and students of all incomes and institutional affiliations.

“In our current political and economic climate, MCVMA believes that open access to DEI information and educational tools is imperative to counter the ongoing misinformation and attacks on equity and justice,” Martínez continued.

 “This initiative will increase the visibility and impact of the research, and has the potential to accelerate more studies and generate stronger policy solutions to address inequities in the veterinary profession.”

Additionally, this fall, the MCVMA will be hosting a free, online “Meet the Authors” webinar series where attendees will be able to meet contributors, ask questions, and engage in discussions related to culturally responsive veterinary care, allyship in professional settings, and DEI in veterinary education.

MCVMA secures permanent open access to first DEI publications in veterinary medicine. News release. Multicultural veterinary medical association. August 12, 2025.

Publications. Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://mcvma.org/publications/

The collection consists of 20 articles and editorials written by veterinary professionals and educators

Veterinary association makes first veterinary DEI publications permanently open access

Jenny Cassibry Fisher, RVT, VTS (Oncology), describes how a patient can benefit from a client's trust in their veterinary team.

Establishing client trust

Improving access to care includes establishing trust with clients. In a 

 interview, Jenny Cassibry Fisher, RVT, VTS (Oncology), director of medical excellence for Mission Pet Health (formerly Southern Veterinary Partners and Mission Veterinary Partners), discussed the importance of a client’s trust in their veterinary practitioners for the benefit of the patient. A continuing education presenter at the 2025 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Louisville, Kentucky, she also discussed how digital services like telemedicine can help improve access to care while utilizing skilled technicians and assistants.

Improving access to care with technicians and telemedicine

The following is a transcript of the video:

Jenny Cassibry Fisher, RVT, VTS (Oncology)

: if a family doesn't trust their veterinary health care team, they're going to be less likely to trust their recommendations, or even follow through with the medical management client trust, and maintaining that trust can directly have an impact on the outcome of care for the patient. So making sure that we as veterinary professionals do our job to maintain that trust with our pet parents is only going to ensure, hopefully, a better outcome for that pet as well in their treatment.

Utilizing the veterinary team to improve access to care

Jenny Cassibry Fisher, RVT, VTS (Oncology), describes one way that patient outcomes can be improved.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared that the FDA can now issue emergency use authorizations for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by New World screwworm (NWS). According to the announcement, the declaration applies only to animal drugs.

“Today we are taking decisive action to safeguard the nation’s food supply from this emerging threat,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, said in the announcement.

 “This authorization equips FDA to act quickly, limit the spread of [NWS], and protect America’s livestock.”

NWS targets warm-blooded animals, including cattle, pets, wildlife, and, less commonly, humans. An NWS infestation may cause severe tissue damage and, in some cases, death.

Although the public health risk to humans remains low, its reemergence poses a potential threat to animal health and livestock production. “This parasite poses an emerging threat to livestock and food security, with potential impacts on both national security and animal health,” the HHS wrote in its announcement.

 update: New World screwworm or not? What vets should and shouldn’t submit to labs

NWS was eradicated from North America and Central America decades ago but has been advancing north since 2022 and is now close to the US border with Mexico.

 According to Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, a preventive medicine specialist focusing on parasitology, immunology, and infectious disease, an NWS invasion is likely, with predictions that the parasite will make its way into the US by this year or next year.

“We have been seeing [NWS] moving up from South America, through every single country in Central America, and has touched down into Mexico,” Lee said in a 

 “Currently, we are looking at the numbers nearly doubling every couple of weeks.”

There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for NWS in the US.

 Under the new emergency authorization, however, the FDA can temporarily authorize the use of certain animal drugs that are approved for other conditions or in other countries but not formally approved for NWS in the US, giving veterinarians and producers quicker access to options for protecting animals and the food supply. The emergency use authorization allows veterinarians, farmers, and animal health officials to have timely access to options for protecting pets, livestock, and the US food supply, the HHS said.

Screwworms: When the larvae don't care about boundaries

FDA is acting swiftly and responsibly to help ensure we have the necessary tools to prevent and control [NWS], minimizing risks to agriculture and public health,” said Marty Makary, MD, MPH, FDA commissioner.

HHS allows FDA emergency use of animal drugs to combat New World screwworm, protect US food supply. News release. US Department of Health and Human Services. August 19, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-allows-fda-emergency-use-animal-drugs-combat-new-world-screwworm-protect-us-food-supply 

. May 16, 2025. Accessed August 19, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/vet-watch-update-new-world-screwworm


The declaration allows emergency use of animal drugs not yet FDA approved for screwworm treatment.