Mahoning Valley - Pet owners in the Mahoning Valley need to prepare for a longer trip if their pet needs after-hours veterinary services.

For years, pet parents in the area have been able to go to the MedVet on West Liberty Street in Girard for their overnight and weekend pet emergencies, but that will be changing soon.

According to Mahoning County Dog Warden Diane Fry, MedVet will be changing to daytime hours in the near future.

Currently, MedVet is open between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and 24-hours on Saturday and Sunday. The change in business hours will leave the area without after-hours veterinary services.

The next closest emergency clinics are in Akron and Pittsburgh.

Fry said the lack of after-hour services in the area will impact their operations.

"If we have a call for an injured animal late at night, there won't be a local place to get them care. We would have to make the trip to Akron or Pittsburgh with them," Fry said.

She also told 21 News that she doesn't know of any veterinarians in the area that are on call for after-hours emergencies. She explained that they no longer needed to be on call since MedVet handled night-side care.

Fry said pet owners need to be aware that they will have a longer trip for emergency care soon so they are not caught off guard.

MedVet hours will now be from 12 Pm to 10 Pm.

One of the main reasons for the hour change was to better serve the local vets as they are severely backed up across the Valley. 

"When I called all the veterinarians, they will all positive and supportive because it would help and relieve stress. We can now partner with them and serve more patients in a time to where they most need us," said Dr. Jim Vogt, Medical Director of Medvet Mahoning Valley.