Animal Hospital Gets New Owner

A former relief veterinarian at several central Arkansas animal clinics has bought Landmark Animal Hospital at 12115 Arch St. Pike in Little Rock.

Andrea Shaw said that after regularly filling in at the animal hospital she "fell in love with the clients and staff." The staff includes three full-time employees, a certified veterinary technician and two others who have each been with the company for more than a decade.

Shaw purchased the 1,400-SF animal hospital business and property for $500,000 from Sue Weinstein, who had owned the business for about 30 years and is now working for the state.

Originally from Florida, Shaw, 43, got her degrees from Auburn University in Alabama and then moved to Little Rock in 1995.

Having worked as a relief veterinarian for the last several years, Shaw said she had been fortunate to learn a lot about different management styles and to work with excellent veterinarians, including Carol Entricken of Benton Veterinary Hospital and Laura Mehaffy of Pinnacle Valley Animal Hospital.  

Shaw works mostly with small animals, but said, "If somebody brings something in I’ll try to help it or find someone who can." Finding the help shouldn’t be difficult with Shaw’s close connection to the general curator at the Little Rock Zoo, Mark Shaw, her husband.   

With plans to own Landmark Animal Hospital until she retires, Shaw won’t be selling the business anytime soon, but her advice to anyone looking to buy a business is this: "Have a good group of advisers. Have a good lawyer and accountant to help you through all the aspects of purchasing it, so you’re prepared."

"It’s more time consuming and there are more steps than most people realize – but it’s totally worth it," Shaw said.  

The Landmark Animal Hospital is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding Wednesday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The business will host an open house from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 16. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (501) 888-3675.