Silver Birch Veterinary Urgent Care is opening Dec. 18 in Norfolk. From left, Dr. Justin Harper , Dr. Sarah Wray, and veterinary technician Mary Earl Gregg, Submitted photo

NORFOLK — A new urgent care veterinary clinic will open December 18 in downtown Norfolk.

The Silver Birch Veterinary Urgent Care will be a walk-in only clinic for sick animals and small emergencies, and not for routine visits.

The urgent care clinic will be the first in the county.

Owners are veterinarians Dr. Justin Harper and Dr. Sarah Wray and veterinary technician Mary Earl Bregg.

Dr. Harper, a Canton Central School graduate, has been practicing for 14 years, formerly at the Canton Animal Clinic, and VCA High Peaks in Ray Brook.

Dr. Wray has been in practice for five years, as a teacher at SUNY Canton Veterinary Science Technology Program, Canton Animal Hospital, and VCA High Peaks.

Bregg, an eight year licensed veterinarian technician, has worked at Watertown Animal Hospital, Canton Animal Clinic, and the Anesthesia Service at Cornell University.

“We are not taking appointments. It will just be a walk-in clinic. You do not need to be a previous client,” said Dr. Harper.

In case of emergencies “call first, so we can be prepared  with all the equipment when you walk in the door,” said Harper.

“For non-emergencies, it is recommended also calling ahead to know the wait time,” Harper said.

The clinic is taking sick cats and dogs with such problems as ear infections, skin problems, injuries, and emergency surgeries.

It is not taking routine visits for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery.

“The clinic will be a mix of first come, first served and triage, “ said Dr. Wray.

“It is very difficult to get a timely appointment for a sick pet, with a shortage of veterinarians,” she said.

“An urgent care clinic is needed for sick animals when no other vets are available to see them because they are packed with routine appointments,” said Wray

“We want to take the backlog off general practitioners. We want to help so pet owners don’t have to wait three months to get seen,” she said.

“Our long term goal is to move to emergency practice, being open on weekends and later on weekdays. Now, the closest emergency hospitals are in Canada and Syracuse ,” said Dr. Wray.
Right now the goal of Silver Birch Veterinary Urgent Care is to help the general practice veterinarians catch up and decrease wait times for sick pets to be seen.
The walk-in clinic will be open Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. On Thursday and Friday, hours will be 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

The clinic is located at 52 West Main St., Norfolk.

The clinic can be reached during office hours at 315-234-7795

For more information, visit their website silverbirchvet.com, which should be live by Dec. 18.