THE OWNER of a popular Redditch veterinary clinic is hanging up her stethoscope and handing over the reigns to the practice after 52 years as a vet.
Sally McGettigan owns McGettigan’s in Astwood Bank but now Emma Rowe, who has been at the clinic for 14 years, is taking over.
The practice began in Redditch town centre back in the 1800s and remained at its base in Church Green for more than 100 years. McGettigan’s owned a lot of surrounding land but all that changed when the new town was built.
In 1990 when the land was needed for the new town, the practice moved to Astwood Bank.
Sally owned and ran the practice with her husband Sean who passed away in 2008.
Up until 2008, McGettigan’s cared for a variety of animals, including mixed cattle, pigs, sheep and horses, as well as cats and dogs.
But after that, the practice moved towards only treating domesticated pets.
Now, after celebrating her 80th birthday today (Thursday) she feels her work is done and it is time to move on.
‘Lifelong friendships’
Reflecting on her career and the changes to veterinary medicine, Sally told the Standard: “I have met so many people over the years, along with their pets and animals.
“We have made lifelong friends.
“It is lovely when people come up to talk to you about the treatments you have given to their cats or dogs and thank you for saving their pets’ lives.
“Being a vet is a very social job – while you are tending to their animals, people come in and speak to you about their lives and their families – you really get to know everyone you interact with.”
From Singapore to Liverpool to Redditch
Sally grew up in Singapore and went to school in Chester before studying veterinary medicine at Liverpool.
Immediately after qualifying, Sally was an intern at the Liverpool Vet School before working as a vet at a mixed practice in Berkshire for six months.
She then came to the Midlands, working as a locum in Sutton Coldfield and then at the vets on Mount Pleasant, Southcrest.
Sally met Sean who was working McGettigan’s on Church Green.
She then went to work in Barnsley, Yorkshire for nine months.
The pair kept up the a long-distance relationship before marrying in 1973.
Sally came back to Redditch and worked with Sean and his partner Bill Geddes who was a very well known vet in the town at the time.
Sally said, over the years, the clinic had prided itself on being independent and she had been supported by a team of super staff and that was how she wanted it to stay which was why Emma was the perfect choice.
“There have been big changes over the years – particularly for small clinics and in the number of drugs and practices which have been developed.
“When we started, you would not have been pinning animals ‘ broken limbs, there have been some great advances.
“But there has also been a lot more bureaucracy, red tape and health and safety introduced that was not there before.”
She said she also felt there were far too many corporate veterinary practices out there which had a contrasting ethos.
“Some people are having their animals put down because they cannot afford the vet fees which is absolutely heartbreaking.”
She highlighted hit BBC drama ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ which centred on James Herriot and his practice in the Yorkshire Dales,
“Veterinary medicine was just like that back in the day – you never knew which animals you would be greeted by and we must have seen and treated thousands over the years.”
Sally still lives at the practice in The Ridgeway so was still very much involved in the day-to-day running.
She said not doing what she had done for the last 52 years was going to be a massive change and, although she was not sure what she would do next, she did want more holidays.
Happy birthday and retirement
Emma said: “I will always be eternally grateful and indebted to Mrs McGettigan for all that she has taught me, and the influence she has had on my career.
“With her continued support, the team here at McGettigans are fully invested in continuing her legacy and ensuring we carry on providing trusted, affordable, pragmatic care for the much-loved
‘creatures, great and small’ and their humans in our community.
“Happy 80th Mrs McGettigan, from all of your staff and clients.”
