Pet care business falls over into voluntary administration: “We’ve literally shed blood, sweat and tears … but it wasn’t enough”

A Queensland-based pet care business has collapsed into voluntary administration, with the operators saying they have had to close the businesses “with very heavy hearts”.

All About Animals in Townsville entered voluntary administration on July 22, with Bill Buckby and Anthony Miskiewicz of KordaMentha appointed to manage the administration.

All About Animals operates under three trading names: All About Animals Veterinarians, All About Animals Veterinary Hospital and Bark and Bubbles Doggy Day Care and Grooming.

The first meeting of creditors for the company is scheduled to be held in Townsville on August 3.

While the company’s owners have not said why All About Animals has closed, a message on the company’s website said it would permanently close on July 19 “with very heavy hearts”

“After clawing back from a very rocky start, we are devastated for our staff and customers that we have had to end our dream this way,” the company said.

“We’ve literally shed blood, sweat and tears to make things work, but it wasn’t enough.”

“We love this great city, and we’ve loved your growing support. Stay classy Townsville, cherish your pets, keep shining and take care.”

The same message was posted on the websites for All About Animals Veterinarians and Bark and Bubbles Doggy Day Care, as well as the All About Animals Veterinarians Facebook page.

Speaking to SmartCompany this morning, KordaMentha partner Bill Buckby described All About Animals as “one of the largest veterinary facilities in Townsville”.

While Buckby says the administrators are still in the early stages of reviewing the company’s financial position, he says there were “cash flow pressures affecting the business”.

“The directors took the view that they wanted to appoint voluntary administrators and to close the business at that point,” he says.

Buckby says All About Animals has been operating since 2013 and while he did not reveal the company’s turnover, he says it had invested a “substantial” amount of money to create a “state of the art” veterinary clinic, including x-ray and pathology services, and pet care and grooming facilities.

He says the administrators are “hopeful” a buyer will be found for the business and will soon commence an urgent sale campaign.

“We are hopeful that we will find a buyer who can continue to provide those services in that location and we are working with all stakeholders involved to ensure it is all kept together.”