The Exotic Bird Hospital of Jacksonville, Florida, opened the doors to its new 6,000-square-foot avian-centric facility March 14. First opened in 1995, the hospital’s new location at 8820 Old Kings Road South is double the size of its previous facility and offers more modern equipment.
“We had just outgrown it,” said Jean Dale, a receptionist at the hospital, which saw 10,000 patients last year.
The new facility has separate wards for patients depending on species and condition, a new boarding facility, an in-house laboratory, new surgical suite, six exam rooms and an expanded retail section offering food, toys and other items.
“It was custom-built for our purposes,” said Dale.
The hospital’s staff, led by Rhoda Stevenson, DVM, Dipl. ABVP – Avian, a graduate of the University of Florida Veterinary Medical School who has owned and operated the hospital since its inception, offers microchipping, avian surgery and vaccinations as well as grooming, boarding and behavioral consults for pet birds.
The hospital also sees small animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs as well as reptiles.
Its previous address was on St. Augustine Road.