One particular loss to the Black Forest fire has been felt by many residents. The Black Forest Veterinary Clinic opened in 1985, and Dr. Ted Mohr purchased the clinic in 1994. In the years since, it has become a fixture for Black Forestís animal-loving community, serving about 4,000 clients. The veterinary clinic was consumed by the Black Forest fire in June.In a televised interview on KRDO, Mohr said he was able to save the computer housing most client records. Of course, all of the animal patients were evacuated and returned to their owners; and the clinicís three resident cats, Vinny, Bella and Mouse are also safe.Within two hours of learning the clinic was gone, Mohrís daughter, Ashley, created a Facebook page for clients to follow. The Mohrs posted updates and information about veterinarians who could care for sick or injured animals until they could get the clinic back up and running. They also shared information about ongoing animal rescue efforts during the fire and attempted to reunite animals with owners, even as they were dealing with their own loss. More than 430 people have ìlikedî the page, which is filled with words of support and encouragement for Mohr and his staff.Mohr is looking for a temporary location to operate the clinic until he can rebuild at the same location. As of June 28, he was planning to sign a lease for a space near the original clinic site. According to a message on Facebook: ìIt will take a few weeks to customize the space to our needs and get new equipment in, but then we will be up and rolling. As soon as we are close to reopening, we will post the location on our burned-out sign, on Facebook and on the phone message machine … We can’t wait to get back to work.îMeanwhile, clinic employees are assisting clients from an office in Mohrís home, which, contrary to a recent rumor, was not lost in the fire. Clients can call the clinicís regular phone number, 495-3666, which remains in service.If a pet is sick or has an emergency, clients can contact one of the following nearby facilities:
- Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO: 719-955-0966
- For Paws Animal Clinic of Falcon: 719-495-4717
- North Powers Animal Hospital: 719-282-1222
- Animal Emergency Service: 719-260-7141
- Powers Pet Emergency Services: 719-473-0482
- Monument Veterinary Clinic: 719-481-3509
- Animal Clinic of Falcon: 719-495-1457
