Clemson Paw Partners plans $5M veterinary facility

Clemson Paw Partners  plans to build a new $5 million facility in the town of Central, designed to expand access to affordable veterinary care and give Upstate pet owners more options for care.

The new facility, located off Greenville Highway in Central, will allow the nonprofit to expand its low-cost services while working toward its long-term vision of a full-service, affordable veterinary clinic for the Upstate, the organization said in a news release.

The project is expected to be completed by summer 2027. The organization is prioritizing completion of its spay and neuter clinic in order that services can begin as early as possible during construction.

“This expansion is about creating access and giving families more options when it comes to veterinary care,” Margaret J. Thompson, founder and president of Clemson Paw Partners, said in the news release. “Too many pet owners struggle to afford care or find available appointments. Our goal is to provide compassionate, affordable services while helping reduce pet overpopulation across our region.”

Clemson Paw Partners is undertaking both the land purchase and construction without taking on debt. The organization purchased the property outright and plans to complete the facility through fundraising, grants, donations and community support.

McKenzie Architecture is designing the project and the builder is JD Turner Construction.

“This project represents an investment in the long-term health and well-being of pets throughout our community,” Thompson said in the release. “By remaining debt-free, we can keep our focus on affordable care and reinvest resources directly into services for animals and families.”

Founded in 2017, Clemson Paw Partners was established to address the growing need for affordable animal care and support for homeless animals and low-income pet owners throughout Pickens County and surrounding communities. Since opening its low-cost clinic in 2022, the organization has performed thousands of spay and neuter surgeries and provided essential preventative care services for pets in need.

The new facility will continue to offer affordable spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing, flea and tick prevention, and feral cat management support, while laying the foundation for expanded veterinary services in the future.