British Columbia

Sandy Jamieson, retired vet, goes back to work with Kamloops cat hospital

Many people start projects to keep themselves busy for retirement — but for veterinarian Sandy Jamieson it means going back to work.

Jamieson realized how much he missed working when he picked up some shifts from a former colleague

Veterinarian Sandy Jamieson came out of retirement to open a cat hospital in Kamloops. (Sandy Jamieson)

Many people start projects to keep themselves busy for retirement — but for veterinarian Sandy Jamieson it means going back to work.

"My passion is really with cats, so I'm opening a cat hospital," he told Daybreak Kamloops' Shelley Joyce.

As soon as I walked into the consultation room, I literally lit up like a Christmas tree- veterinarian Sandy Jamieson

It all started when he was called back to work with an old colleague.

The vet, who practised in the Lower Mainland, tried to retire seven years ago.

"About four months after I had retired a friend of mine in Vancouver said, 'look Sandy, I need some help here at my cat hospital, could you come fill in for a few months?' I said sure," he said.

Jamieson said that stint made him realize he wasn't ready to retire.

"I was kind of looking forward to it, no big deal, but as soon as I walked into the consultation room, I literally lit up like a Christmas tree," he said.

"I just love it. I love working."

Veterinarian Sandy Jamieson discovered his missed working with cats after filling in for a colleague shortly after he retired. (Sandy Jamieson)

Jamieson talked things over with his wife and decided to open a cat hospital in Kamloops, B.C. — which is about 175 kilometres from where the two now live in Green Lake.

He's spent more than $100,000 on equipment for the hospital, and is now trying to secure a location in Kamloops.

Curious as to what it is about cats Sandy Jamieson loves so much? Click the audio labelled: Retired vet Sandy Jamieson to open cat hospital.