Clinic center: New red panda habitat, and more

Recently, one of the oldest zoos in the United States announced a new red panda exhibit as part of a decade-long reinvigoration plan. Meanwhile, a seafood pet nutrition company has launched a virtual store, and a veterinary practice with a modern approach has opened its first location in Virginia.

Below are those 3 new or upcoming animal care facility openings.

Maryland Zoo red panda habitat (Baltimore, Maryland)

Red panda habitat ground breaking ceremony. (Image courtesy of The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore)

At the tail end of May, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore broke ground on an exhibit for red pandas. The exhibit, according to Maryland Zoo, marks the first combination of a new animal species and habitat in more than 20 years and the first new animal area in Main Valley—the oldest section of the zoo—since 2009.¹ The exhibit is slated to open in 2026, as construction is anticipated to take a year.

“Maryland Zoo celebrates its 150th anniversary next year, and you don’t get to be as venerable as we are without constant reinvention,” Kirby Fowler, president and CEO of the zoo, said in a news release.¹ “When complete in 2026, the red panda habitat will bring dynamic, charismatic animals right to the front of our Zoo.”

The zoo has a 10-year Master Plan to “reinvigorate” Main Valley, which includes new species and exhibits and calls for more sustainability within Zoo operations. “This is the first of many Zoo improvements that started with our new parking lot last year and will continue with a gibbon habitat, a flyway for our eagle and snowy owl, and upgrades to our rental facilities and guest amenities,” said Fowler.¹

Finfare Pet Foods online store (Virtual)

The seafood pet nutrition company Finfare Pet Foods has launched an online store at finfarepetfoods.com. Along with its new online store, the pet food company also launched its direct-to-consumer strategy which will allow clients to access Finfare’s line of salmon treats and toppers for cats and dogs.

"We've spent generations perfecting the art of seafood," said Gabriel Viteri, CEO of Finfare Pet Foods, in a company release.² "Now, we're bringing that expertise to pet nutrition—combining premium ingredients, gentle processing, and deep respect for animals to create something truly special."

In addition to its online store, Finfare has also rolled out its products on Amazon. The company plans a national retail expansion for later this year.

Small Door Veterinary (McLean, Virginia)

Small Door Veterinary is opening a new clinic in McLean, Virginia. The new opening is Small Door’s first location in Virginia, with the practice holding locations in Washington DC; Maryland; New York; and Boston, Massachusetts. According to Small Door, most of its locations are Animal Hospital Association-accredited.

“Opening in the vibrant, pet-loving community of McLean is an exciting day for us,” Florent Peyre, cofounder and CEO of Small Door, said in an organizational release.³ “Our modern, personalized approach to veterinary care aligns perfectly with this community’s needs.

“We’re excited to provide McLean’s pets and pet owners with a warm, convenient, and high-quality veterinary experience. With state-of-the-art facilities, after-hours telemedicine, and transparent pricing—no surprise bills—our members can access seamless, stress-free pet care at every step,” she continued.³

References

1. Maryland Zoo breaks ground on red panda habitat. News release. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. May 29, 2025.
2. Finfare Pet Foods launches online store and Amazon presence as part of DTC strategy. News release. Finfare Pet Foods. May 29, 2025. Accessed June 12, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finfare-pet-foods-launches-online-store-and-amazon-presence-as-part-of-dtc-strategy-302467762.html
3. Small Door Veterinary opens in Virginia with new McLean location. News release. Small Door Inc. June 2, 2025.