ROCHESTER — New construction in southwest Rochester is laying the groundwork for a new emergency veterinary clinic to serve the region in 2027.
Crews recently started moving dirt at 4612 Commercial Drive SW, between McDonald’s and Discount Tire off of 48th Street to prepare for the construction of
a 6,800-square-foot Allied Veterinary Emergency & Referral clinic.
The project is the vision of Allied’s founder and medical director Dr. Kara Nelsen.
Since 2024, Allied Veterinary has been partnering with Dr. Garren Kelly’s Stewartville Veterinary Clinic to provide emergency care after-hours, on weekends and during holidays with a local team led by Dr. Maddie Novack. However, the goal has always been to have a new clinic under the Allied Veterinary name to serve the region.
“Having our own building, we think we will be more of a pillar in the veterinary community there,” said Nelsen. “We’re just really excited to be able to service all of the day practices and care for more animals in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northern Iowa.”
The goal is to have the new 24-hour Rochester clinic completed and open by Memorial Day 2027. Nelsen said that the construction team is currently working on getting approval for signage comparable to McDonald’s and Discount Tire to help people with critically ill or injured pets find the clinic more easily.
“If their pet is dying and they miss an exit, it’s going to add another 10 minutes for them to be able to turn around to get to us. In an emergency situation, adding 10 minutes can be the difference between life or death,” she said.
It is being built on 2.46 acres of open land, which
Allied purchased from Merchants Bank for $935,000 in May 2025.
The clinic will feature five exam rooms, two surgical suites, a CT scanner and an animal intensive care unit. The plan is to staff it with a team of 30 to 35 people to provide care 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.
Nelsen clarified that Allied Veterinary is not a clinic where you bring a dog or cat for a vaccination or a regular check-up.
“What we’re trying to create and accomplish is a full-service 24-hour facility. If your pet has an ear infection in the middle of the night, we’d love to see them. It’s a holiday and your pet is vomiting. That is what we’re here for,” she said. “I think most people today want their pet, which is a part of their family, to have the same level of healthcare as they have access to. They want it to be more like going to the Mayo Clinic for their pet. Maybe more so in Rochester, because you have a Mayo Clinic.”
Allied Veterinary Emergency & Referral
has clinics in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie plus Nelsen opened a new clinic location just this week in Hugo, Minnesota.
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Jeff Kiger writes a daily column, “Heard Around Rochester,” in addition to writing articles about local businesses, Mayo Clinic, IBM, Hormel Foods, Crenlo and others. The opinions of my employer do not necessarily reflect my opinions. He has worked in Rochester for the Post Bulletin since 1999. Send tips to jkiger@postbulletin.com or via Twitter to @whereskiger . You can call him at 507-285-7798.