Dead pets 'stuck inside' New Forest vets which shut suddenly

People whose dogs and cats had to be put down by the Pet Healthcare Centre could have them cremated and then arrange to collect the ashes.

But the surgery in Pylewell Road, Hythe, is thought to have shut before a pet cremation service could make its latest pick up.

A handwritten notice stuck to the inside of the front door said: "Due to business issues currently beyond our control we have had to temporarily close the practice."

A similar message was posted on its website. Its Facebook account has been taken down and an automated message on its voicemail said "due to unforeseen circumstances the veterinary practice is now closed".

Pet Healthcare Centre in Pylewell Road, Hythe, has closed without warning (Image: Newsquest.)

At least two dead pets are thought to be inside the building.

People hit by the shutdown include Julia Godwin, of Hollybank, Hythe, who took her elderly cat Millie to the surgery after the animal's health began to fail.

Mrs Godwin said: "She'd been with us for 16 years and was a big part of the family.

"But the vets said there was nothing they could really do for her and told us it would be kinder to put her down.

"They offered to send her off for cremation and said we could collect the ashes. That was on the Friday. On the Monday the practice suddenly closed without notice.

"We've been informed that our cat is still at the practice, along with a pet dog that had also been put to sleep.

"We don't know if or when we will get Millie's ashes. We have tried everything to make contact.

"Someone from a pet crematorium came to collect Millie and the dog and deliver the ashes of pets that had already been cremated.

"They hadn't been told the surgery had closed and couldn't access the premises. The dog's owner must be going through what we're going through."

A notice attached to the inside of the front door says the closure is only temporary (Image: Newsquest.)

The surgery's closure is thought to have occurred on or before August 1.

Several people took to social media following the news. One person posted: "One poor couple were trying to find their dog that died in there."

Referring to the staff, another social media user added: "The girls had no idea it was going to close until they got to work.

"They could have just gone home but were still there until at least 7pm, trying to call as many clients as they could before being shut out of the building."

The surgery and Newbury-based Pets Cremation Services, which the surgery used, have both been contacted for comment.