Veterinary practitioner – Surgery – Opening See explanation of the designation of:

Opening and close-down of a surgery or private animal hospital have to be notified to the district administrative authority [ Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde ] and the Austrian Veterinary Chamber [ Österreichische Tierärztekammer] in advance, in any case within two weeks.

Only self-employed veterinarians and veterinary companys are entitled to operate a surgery or private animal hospital.

Veterinary companies must either

• be founded by self-employed veterinarians or
• the majority of shares and voting rights must be held by veterinarians with professional qualifications or
• at least 50 percent of the company shares and voting rights are held by veterinarians who are entitled to exercise their profession, and the prerequisite for comprehensive quality assurance (structural, process and result quality) is guaranteed by the establishment of a commission with regard to the management of a surgery or a private veterinary clinic.

If the surgery or private animal hospital is managed (directed) not by a shareholder, but by an employed veterinarian, it must be ensured that the person responsible for its management is professionally independent.

Veterinarians who manage a surgery or private animal hospital are obliged

• to keep it in a condition which complies with hygiene standards and veterinary demand, and
• to identify it by appropriate outward designation befitting their profession.

The surgery must also comply with the directives on surgeries ( → ÖTK ) German text set up by the Österreichische Tierärztekammer . The Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde is responsible for monitoring compliance with these guidelines.

See description of the subject matter.

Notification has to be given to the competent authorities in advance, but in any case within two weeks.

A letter has to be addressed to the locally competent Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde and the Österreichische Tierärztekammer containing the abovementioned information.

No additional documents are required.

There are no fees or charges foreseen for the notification.

Competence for the procedure lies with:

• the locally competent Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde and
• the Österreichische Tierärztekammer

Österreichische Tierärztekammer ( → ÖTK ) German text

sections 2 , 16 to 18 of the Tierärztegesetz (TÄG)