Vet to open new Shropshire practice for exotic animals - with re-assuring message to locals

Marie Kubiak had always wanted to work with animals but the graduate of Bristol University never thought she'd spend he career working with wild animals in zoos.

She said: “I was an animal lover when I was growing up but what I really wanted to be was a horse vet.

“But in my third year at university, my mentor needed to get rid of some snakes as he was moving – they were just common snakes and not venomous, so I said I'd take them and found them fascinating. Then in my final year I got an internship at Paignton Zoo where I shadowed the vet there and I loved it.”

She said since graduating she has worked for a number of zoos and parks, including West Midlands Safari Park.

“I've treated everything from ants, rodents and parrots to lions and tigers," she said. "Actually, it is not that much different to being a regular vet as treating a tiger, for instance, is actually not that much different to treating a house cat. Obviously, they are a lot larger and we have to use darts before treating them.”

Now the 41-year-old is opening a referral service called Evolution Exotics Referrals in Cleobury Mortimer.

She already has a contract with Hoo Zoo and will be treating animals by referral only, including those animals regular vets find themselves a little unprepared to deal with.

Marie is one of only a handful of specialists vets that are accredited for reptiles, birds, pet mammals, wildlife, zoo species, fish and invertebrates.

She said: “It is a very niche field so there are not many of us, but I do have a number of existing clients. But when we open we won't be bringing in any venomous snakes or tigers to Cleobury Mortimer, as we treat those sorts of animals on site.”

However, she added that ahead of the grand opening of the new vet's practice on October 1, there will be an open day on September 21, which is aimed at other vets and those in the exotics field.

“The open day offers a chance to see the new clinic, meet the team, find out how it can support your practice and discuss any challenging cases you have,” she said.

The open day on Saturday, September 21 at Evolution Exotics Referrals, Tenbury Road, Cleobury Mortimer from 10:00am to 4:00am. Professionals wishing to go should email: [email protected]