South Shropshire exotic vet plans new facility for emergency accommodation of small animals
A Cleobury Mortimer veterinary practice has submitted plans to build a new facility offering emergency accommodation for small animals in "urgent welfare situations".
The application, lodged by exotic animal specialist Dr Kubiak, seeks permission to demolish two existing outbuildings at Evolution Exotics Referrals and replace them with a purpose‑built structure designed to house small animals in case of emergency.
According to the planning statement, the new building would provide 20 specialist pens for cats, small animals and birds, supporting local authorities, charities and emergency services when owners are admitted to hospital, taken into care or detained by police with no one available to look after their pets.
It's a service that the business says is "in great demand", with similar facilities "in extremely short supply".
The proposed single‑storey building would adjoin the existing veterinary practice and follow the footprint and scale of the current structures on site.
Chartered town planner PKR Planning Ltd said the new facility has been designed to resemble a modern agricultural building and sit comfortably within the existing farmstead layout.
Dr Kubiak, who runs the specialist exotic referrals practice with her partner, said demand for emergency boarding already outstrips capacity.
The practice currently operates with one vet, one nurse and limited recovery space, and has been informally assisting charities and councils on a small scale.
The new facility would allow the business to serve a wider area, potentially covering at least eight local authority districts and four police force areas.
South Staffordshire and Cannock Chase councils have already approached the practice about taking referrals, the planning statement added.
The site previously operated as a boarding cattery before its change of use to a veterinary practice was approved in 2022.
Unlike a commercial cattery, the service would not be open to the public. Most animals would be collected by the applicant, with only occasional drop‑offs by emergency services. As a result, the proposal states there would be no increase in visitor traffic or parking demand.
The application, which is open for public consultation until March 5, is available to view online on Shropshire Council's planning portal (reference number 26/00396/FUL).
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