Veterinary clinic chain owner shuts second local clinic

Dr Andrew Baker has followed the closure of his vet clinic in Sai Kung by shutting down his Clearwater Bay one as well.
Neither clinic, branded Animal Medical Centre, was financially viable, Andrew told BUZZ. “The Sai Kung clinic had been losing money since Rob Gordon left. The Clearwater Bay store was on balance. Every two years the landlord has got his hand out for his pound of flesh.” With the leases up Andrew decided to shut them down. Now he has five clinics left.
“Hong Kong has 600 vet clinics competing for ever thinner slices of the pie,” Andrew said. It is hard to get staff who have credibility with clients. “We old European vets, we are fossils.” Andrew said he has no plans to retire and will carry on with his five clinics. In closing the two local clinics, Andrew fired nobody. Dr Karly Lam, the young vet working at Sai Kung, has resigned. Dr Gavin Hay, employed at the Clearwater Bay clinic, has moved to Pets Central Sai Kung, which advises he will be available to care for the pets of his clients.