After more than 20 years of providing veterinary service on St.Thomas, and without notice, Drs. John and Marilyn Moore apparently have retired and sold their practice.
Veterinarian Lexi Maclae said she and her husband Desmond, newly arrived from Ohio, have purchased the business.
Maclae had begun assisting the Moores this week.
Friday the Moores were not at the Red Hook Plaza clinic The Maclaes were there, moving out furniture and painting and going over files with staff.
"Today's official, " Maclae said.
She said the Moores did not tell either their clients or their small staff; she was informing clients of the change as they came into the office.
"I hope once the initial surprise has left, people will accept it," she said.
John Moore declined comment late Thursday, when word began to spread in the plaza that he and his wife Marilyn, both veterinarians, might be quitting.
They did not return a message left on their home phone Friday.
Maclae said she has been a veterinarian for 10 years and practiced in Columbus, Ohio before moving to St. Thomas.
She said she may expand the hours at the clinic because "pets don't usually get sick just between the nine to five."
