A VETERINARY practice in Alloa is celebrating its third birthday tomorrow by inviting locals to an open evening.

Inglis Vets is set to mark the occasion by swinging the doors wide open and allowing people to drop in for a chat, a behind-the-scenes tour and refreshments between 4pm and 7pm.

According to Laura Cowan, manager, the practice has managed to build up a community of clients since opening in 2015, which meant to facilities could be extended and enhanced with the local vets able to do anything required other than overnight care.

And indeed the staff have also been more than happy to get themselves involved in the wider community, delivering school talks and working closely with charities the Cats Protection League and SSPCA.

A raffle on the night, with the star prize of one year's care plan membership worth more than £250, will benefit the two good causes.

The practice has come a long way since opening according to Laura, who serves a regular base of pet owners with her staff.

She said: "It's really nice for me because coming into work, I see quite a lot of people during the day that I know quite well and I know their pets quite well, which helps us to give a better service.

"We've expanded in terms of facilities. It had to be quite basic when we opened, but we now have everything that we need apart from overnight hospitalisation."

Blood tests, ultrasound, x-rays, operations and much more can now be done locally while Laura was also able to take some extra staff on at the branch, including a second qualified nurse.

The tour, Laura added, will include a machine that can turn a blood test around and give results in just 20 minutes.

The open evening will be a chance to see it all, donate generously and enjoy some delicious home baking.

Young people with an interest in the veterinary field are also being encouraged to head along and learn about career opportunities, all staff will be on hand and will be happy to speak to aspiring pupils about the job and training.
The practice is kindly asking people not to bring pets along on the evening.