Animal hospital owners plan to rebuild after fire

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The owners of an animal hospital destroyed by fire Sunday say they hope to rebuild the 35-year-old business on the same site later this year.

And it may include a memorial to the nine dogs that died in the blaze.

For now, said Dr. Greg Lowe, son of Rowan Animal Clinic founder Dr. R.B. Lowe, they are taking things day by day.

The fire began at 1:36 a.m. Sunday at the 4155 Statesville Blvd. clinic. It took fire agencies several hours to get the blaze under control.

“It is a total loss,” Lowe said Monday.

Some of the dogs killed were being boarded and others had recently undergone procedures.

The owners who lost their dogs asked not to be identified, Lowe said.

“It’s hard for me to speak to what they are going through,” he said.

Lowe said he’s expressed to the owners how sad he and the rest of the staff are for their losses.

Firefighters, police and others tried to save the animals from the fire, Lowe said.

Deborah Horne, a fire investigator with the Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office, said those who tried to help were blocked by the doors and debris.

“We know that it started in the attic. The investigation into that is still ongoing. We know where it started, now we have to find out how it started,” Horne said Monday.

Lowe said there have been people stopping by the site to offer condolences and ask how they can help.

“People have been coming up all day. They have been crying and bringing us food,” Lowe said.

Someone even brought a homemade memorial to place at the site.

“We appreciate all of it,” he said. “This is a good place to live and the people are great. You never realize how many people really care about you.”

He said the staff is also appreciative of the emergency services workers who responded to the fire.

“We really thank the men and women that serve in the police and fire department and the emergency response teams for their hard work. They came out multiple times,” Lowe said.

Right now, Lowe said, clinic operators are looking for a place to work and hope to find a site near the Statesville Boulevard office within a week.

Many people have asked to help with the clean-up effort, he said. Once the investigation is finished and the building is released, Lowe said that can begin.

There is a tentative plan to rebuild in the same spot within six to eight months, he said.

Inquiries have also been made about collecting donations. Lowe said he’s not thought about accepting donations. He has, however thought about creating permanent memorials for the nine dogs that perished in the fire. The dogs died of smoke inhalation.

People who have made inquiries have done so through an answering service, which can be reached at 704-636-3408.

Other local veterinarians have offered to help the clinic.

Lowe said his staff has advised Rowan Animal Clinic clients that if they have emergency procedures that must be done, to take the animals to another vet of their choice.

Lowe said he can’t wait to get back to doing what he loves do for the community.

Judith Hitchcock, of Salisbury, received services from the clinic in 2010 when her cat Rosie had to be euthanized.

She had Rosie, a rescue, for eight years, and she said Greg Lowe made the process of putting the cat to sleep as “peaceful and acceptable as possible.”

Hitchcock was shocked to hear the news of the fire.

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought it couldn’t be my clinic,” she said.

She was also saddened the fire claimed people’s pets.

“I really love animals, and it’s horrible to think about,” she said. “I’m so sorry for those people who lost the animals.”

Hitchcock said she wants to help the Lowes and their staff if she can.

“I would love to help clean up or anything to help,” she said. “They are good people.”

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.