AN ISLE of Wight veterinary business has asked animal owners to only call if their pets need veterinary attention or medication.

Island VetCare says it is receiving a large number of calls from panicked Island pet owners - along with other Island vets - after The Mobile Vet announced its closure tomorrow (Friday).

The Mobile Vet on Newport’s Watergate Road will shut for six months amid an Island-wide shortage of professional vets.

This has left many of their clients concerned about accessing veterinary care for their pets.

Ryde-based Island VetCare said it is keen to do what it can to take care of those pets but asks Mobile Vet clients to only call them if their pets need veterinary attention or medication.

A spokesperson said: “This will help keep the phone lines free for us to answer calls from those Mobile Vet clients most in need.

“For our clients, this will inevitably mean there will be times when our phones are busier than usual. 

“We request your continued support and understanding and apologise in advance for any delays in answering your calls.”

Island VetCare says it hopes to open its books again in the future and will announce this on its Facebook page.

“In the meantime, we ask you to be patient with us but also understand that we are continuing to do all that we can to help the pets of owners on the Island who are without a vet.”