Hillcrest Animal Hospital breaks ground on new facility

“To say we are excited is an understatement,” said Dr. Kathryn Bell of Hillcrest Animal Hospital, as she and her husband, Dr. Mason Bell, welcomed the community Wednesday, July 22, to the groundbreaking for their new animal hospital on south Shelby Road in Poplar Bluff.

Mason Bell smiled as he interjected, “they say the headache is just beginning.”

He continued by explaining “none of this would be possible if it was not for the Boyer family.”

The doctors purchased the three acres along Shelby Road from the Boyer Family Trust.

Mason Bell explained he understands firsthand how hard it is for the family to have their farm surrounded by a city.

“Hillcrest Animal Hospital has been a part of Poplar Bluff’s history since long before Dr. Mason or I were even born,” said Kathryn Bell. “This clinic has helped keep our furry family members healthy for generations.”

Currently located at 1904 S. Westwood Blvd., the clinic is 57 years old and has been remodeled and enlarged to the point to “where it no longer allows us to provide the best and most advanced technologies and treatments to our pets, which is not only my goal, but the goal of our entire Hillcrest team,” Kathryn Bell said. “Which is why we are here.

“We are breaking ground today on a state-of-the-art veterinary facility that is meant to service not only Poplar Bluff, but all of Southeast Missouri with the most up-to-date diagnostic and surgical capabilities and the most advanced treatment because, frankly, I believe that is what the pets of the area deserve.”

The future facility will be 9,000-square-foot, with eight exam rooms, state-of-the-art imaging and surgery suites, dental exam rooms, recovery room, boarding areas and ample waiting areas.

It is designed to have a separate 2,400-square-feet large-animal clinic, with holding stalls, exam and surgery areas.

The project is expected to be complete by the summer of 2021.

The building is being designed by BDA Architecture, an Albuquerque, New Mexico, firm specializing in animal health care. Dille Traxel LLC was retained to oversee contracts and construction.

Smith & Co. LLC is serving as the civil engineer. Horner & Shifrin is doing special inspections. The Bank of Missouri is assisting with the financing.

Construction is by local CE Norton Construction and Plumbing.