An alternative to cramped quarters with leaky roofs and faulty plumbing and electrical systems may be in sight for VCA South County Animal Hospital.

The busy hospital, known for treating wild as well as domestic animals, is exploring alternative sites to its 260 N. Halcyon Road location after the Arroyo Grande City Council voted 3-2 to deny an appeal of the Planning Commission's rejection of a 4,530-square-foot, two-story project to replace the 1960s-era building.

Dr. Steven Paulick, medical director of VCA South County Animal Hospital, said while it's preferable the veterinary hospital stay within Arroyo Grande city limits, it's possible it may relocate elsewhere in the South County.

“We are going to be moving and, hopefully, building a new building or finding a suitable building that we can work with,” Paulick said. “I like the city of Arroyo Grande, and I would prefer to stay here. I guess it just depends.

“We've worked with the city Planning Department and the city manager. Everybody has been really supportive and helpful, and I think they've recommended our project from the beginning,” he said.

The hospital has been exploring other sites in Grover Beach, Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande but hasn't made commitments or offers on any properties, Paulick said.

In addition to common household pets, the clinic is known for operating on and rehabilitating wildlife brought in by California Department of Fish and Game officials, including owls, raccoons, skunks, raptors, foxes, deer and opossums.

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In July 2004, an injured black bear was brought to VCA, where Paulick performed surgery on the 16-pound bear's lip, which became separated from its jaw.

Like a normal hospital, veterinary hospitals have very special requirements and needs that must to be worked out, including unique plumbing needs, rooms lined with lead for X-rays and special piping for gases, Paulick explained.

“Ideally, we'd be doing it from the ground up instead of occupying a (pre-existing) building,” Paulick said, but the facility would also need a parcel that's large enough.

“We don't want to fight with parking and have to compromise on size like we did here,” which he noted is an oddly shaped, triangular lot.

The hospital needs more space to treat ailing pets across the South County, said Paulick, and with leaky roofs, cramped quarters and faulty plumbing and electrical systems, maintenance is constant.

In the meantime, the hospital is doing all it can to stay in full operation, Paulick said.

“It's an ancient building,” he said. “You do a lot of patching and fixing, and, hopefully, not everything will fall apart at once.”

Josh Petray can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5015, or jpetray@santamariatimes.com.

Jan. 11, 2007