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Bolton Animal Hospital’s 85 years of providing care for Albuquerque’s furry companions is coming to a close as the clinic prepares to shutter its doors permanently next month.

The animal clinic announced the closure in late March, writing on its social media and website that its last day of business will be May 29.

“Bolton Animal Hospital appreciates the opportunity to have cared for the community’s

pets and is committed to supporting clients through this transition,” the notice said.

The clinic’s managing vet, Dr. Hannah Doran, will be transferring to one of Bolton’s sister hospitals, Manzano Animal Clinic, following the closure. Manzano and another sister hospital, ABQ Petcare Hospital, will offer first-time-visit discounts to Bolton clients to “ensure a seamless and uninterrupted transition,” the clinic’s announcement said.

Bolton Animal Hospital, located at 2005 Yale SE near the Sunport, has been providing wellness, surgical, dental, diagnostic and hospitality services for Albuquerque’s pets since 1941, according to the clinic’s . Several generations of the Bolton family ran the practice before the National Veterinary Association, or NVA, took over in about 2009. The family still owns the physical building, according to the Bernalillo County Assessor’s .

When asked why Bolton Animal Hospital is closing, Brittany McDonald, the Southwest senior manager of regional operations for NVA, told the Journal the decision ultimately “came down to financial reasons.”

Along with last month’s closure announcement also came the listing of the Bolton Animal Hospital property. The property was put up for sale for nearly $1.2 million on March 25, according to a Commercial Association of Realtors New Mexico .

NAI SunVista Directors John Algermissen and Genieve Posen are handling the listing, which features a 6,562-square-foot “turn-key” clinic with three exam rooms, four offices, a surgical room and a kennel with 38 pet spaces. The property also offers a two-level exterior storage area.

Another vet practice coming into the building would likely be the best use for the property due to existing infrastructure, Algermissen said, but other medical uses could also work.

The property has received significant interest since listing, with one offer on the table and more expected soon, Algermissen said. The interested parties are vets or investors who want to own the property and lease it to a vet, he said.

The property’s proximity to the airport and Interstate 25 has been a selling point, especially with additional empty land available to build more outdoor play space and expand the property’s pet hospitality services.

“But it’s also just a really turn-key opportunity, and overall a pretty good location,” Algermissen said.

Bolton employs a team of less than 10 people, which McDonald said all have the opportunity to interview and transfer to some of NVA’s other animal hospitals in Albuquerque if they’re interested.

While the property’s availability could offer an opportunity for another vet clinic, Algermissen said the sentiment around the closure of Bolton Animal Hospital has been “a little bit sad.”

“I think it’s definitely disappointing,” he said. “A lot of people have been going there for years, so I think people have been pretty sad to see the Bolton clinic come to an end. But I imagine we’ll see someone in there soon — another vet under a different name — to kind of absorb the demand in that area.”

McDonald also recognized what she called the “legacy” of Bolton Animal Hospital, but said VCA looks forward to welcoming Dr. Doran’s clients at the Manzano clinic and others at ABQ Petcare.

“We’ve appreciated being a trusted partner in the care of pets throughout the years, and we hope to continue those relationships,” McDonald said.

Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.