An animal veterinary clinic in Lehighton has outgrown its current facility and plans to relocate to another building in the borough.

The Lehighton Animal Hospital will eventually move to the building at Sixth and Coal streets.

It’s a move that’s necessary to meet the needs of its clients, according to Pat Mriss, office manager,

“We basically saw a for sale sign on the building, took a look at it, decided that it is going to be a lot better facility,” Mriss said. Obviously the (current) building is a lot less square footage, kind of cramped quarters, needed extra space.”

Mriss added that the current facility at 104 S. Third St. only has two exam rooms.

“The new one currently has four exam rooms with the option of there’s additional space, and if there’s a need to add more, it gives us more to grow in the future, and also parking is a huge thing,” he said. “Off-street parking is maybe six cars (at its current location); this comes with a 40-car parking lot.”

Mriss said the current animal hospital has been located at 104 S. Third St. since the 1980s, and noted before that it was a family physician.

He said service will stay the same at both the current Lehighton location, as well as at St. Francis Animal Hospital on Route 309 in West Penn Township.

“West Penn will remain; the only thing changing is we’re moving to a bigger location in Lehighton,” he said, adding they will keep their clients informed of the move. “We are continuing appointments until we determine the (new Lehighton) building is ready to go, and will make it public when we are switching over; hours are scheduled to remain the same.”

Mriss said the move from the current Lehighton location to the new location could take place by spring.

“We’re hoping by the start of spring; that’s a pretty aggressive schedule,” he said. “I think we’re working diligently every spare minute to try and accomplish that.”