After Hours Urgent Vet Care Officially Opening in Augusta, Maine

We're fortunate here in Maine to have a wide array of veterinary clinics in and around the state to help care for our cats, dogs, farm animals and critters of all shapes and sizes.

But what happens when you have an animal emergency and it's after normal business hours? For most people, you have to get in your car and drive quite a distance. For me, I have to drive to either Scarborough or Lewiston.

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Twice in the last 3 years I have had to make the journey down to the Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Lewiston and each of those times I was so glad they were there to help.

The first time I went down was just after my Great Dane, Rambo passed away in his sleep in the middle of the night. He was a very sick boy and we were going to have him put down on Monday, though he passed on Sunday night and needed to bring him somewhere. The folks in Lewiston were there for us.

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The second time was earlier this year when my newest golden retriever puppy ran under my truck in the driveway and I backed over her leg. Again, another trip to Lewiston at 11pm. Fortunately nothing was broken, though she was pretty sore and needed X-rays to confirm.

And while having these emergency clinics in Maine is paramount to the safety and longevity of our beloved pets, wouldn't it be nice if there was a place just a bit closer? Well now there is.

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According to an article published in the Kennebec Journal, Atlas Veterinary Care will be opening in Augusta and will be providing urgent after-hours care for your animals. The clinic will be opening on Eastern Ave (route 17) inside the former Uncle Henry's building here in Augusta.

Augusta resident, Gina LoMonaco, told the KJ in part,

“Knowing an urgent care is (going to be) within minutes of my home, to know that’s right around the corner, I can tell you that fills my heart with hope, that if anything happens to my animals, I don’t have to worry about driving them 45 minutes and hope they make it.”

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The newspaper reported that the clinic's initial operating hours will be Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, there are already plans in place to extend the operating times to 10pm in the very near future.