Erdman Animal Hospital to close after 68 years in Northeast Baltimore

Erdman Animal Hospital is closing after 68 years, leaving pet owners in Belair-Edison and nearby Northeast Baltimore neighborhoods with one less place for routine checkups, dental care and urgent visits.

The hospital at 3233 Erdman Avenue said its last day will be May 28, 2026. Founded in 1957 by Dr. John Keil, the practice had become a familiar stop for generations of Baltimore families who brought in dogs and cats for medical, surgical, hospitalization, emergency, vaccination and wellness care. It described itself as an appointment-only, full-service small animal hospital.

Owner Dr. Lance P. Keil said the demands of running the small three-doctor practice had become too much to handle alone in the current veterinary market. He pointed to the rise of corporate ownership and the shrinking number of veterinarians willing to take on ownership responsibilities as part of the pressure behind the decision. He also said he needed to prioritize his health and quality of life and begin a new chapter.

For longtime clients, the closure creates immediate practical problems. Erdman Animal Hospital served customers from across Baltimore City and Baltimore County, and its Belair-Edison location made it convenient for people who depended on a nearby neighborhood clinic for appointments and follow-up care. With the hospital set to close, pet owners now have to find a new veterinarian, transfer records and make sure ongoing treatment plans do not get interrupted.

That concern is especially acute in Northeast Baltimore, where losing a longstanding practice can stretch appointment availability at other clinics and force families to travel farther for care. The hospital’s role reached beyond a single block on Erdman Avenue. Belair-Edison Neighborhood, Inc. had previously noted that Dr. Keil viewed the location as convenient for customers coming from all over the city and Baltimore County.

The business also had local recognition beyond its exam rooms. The neighborhood organization highlighted the hospital’s place in the community and noted that it had received a grant for window replacements, a sign of a small business that had remained part of the area’s daily life for decades. Manta lists the company as established in 1957 and estimates a staff of about 13 employees.

Keil asked pet parents who need copies of records to contact the hospital directly, a final step aimed at helping clients move their animals’ care before the doors close for good. For Northeast Baltimore, the loss is not just the end of a business. It is the disappearance of a half-century neighborhood institution that many families relied on when their pets needed care most.