Central Animal Hospital sits, stays and grows in Midtown

In order to offer more for its four-footed clientele, Central Animal Hospital recently completed construction on a $1.2 million, 4,600-square-foot veterinary medical facility.
 
On the outer edge of the historic Cooper-Young neighborhood, across from such hotspots as Central Barbecue and Urban Outfitters, the new facility is just to the northeast of its original building – built in the 1930s– at 2192 Central Ave.
 
Manager Stephen Karnes who, along with wife and veterinarian Jennifer Karnes, bought the practice in 2005, said they were already outgrowing the original building which was built in the 1930s, with a “couple of thousand active clients.”
 
In 2006, they were able to purchase the property from neighbor Fred Remmers Rug Cleaners & Oriental Rug Gallery.
 
The medical portion of the operation will be housed in the new facility, which borders on Cox St., while the grooming will be handled in the original 3,500-sq. ft. building on Central Ave. The two are separated by a path that will soon be covered in vines for a natural, shaded breezeway. Once construction is completed, clients will be able to enter the parking lot on Central and exit onto Cox.
 
Designed by archimania and built by contractor Metro Construction, the new building has accents of lime green inside and out with plenty of natural light and separated waiting areas. Large, outdoor dog pens and runs line the northern side.
 
The Karneses also plan to launch Stay, the only luxury boarding, daycare, training and grooming facility in Memphis that is associated with an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited animal practice. 
 
With the addition of the medical facility and the increase in grooming and boarding, Central Animal Hospital plans to add another veterinarian, five support staff and up to 15 employees for daycare.
 
The Karneses are committed to their community. “I’ve never lived anywhere else,” Jennifer says. “I support Midtown wholeheartedly and can’t wait to be a longtime part of it.”

By Richard J. Alley