The Hall vet was suspended from practising after a number of serious complaints were made against her over a seven-year period. She signed a deed to not seek registration for two years with the ACT Veterinarians Board after an initial hearing in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal earlier this year. The final day of her registration was Wednesday.

However, the community came out in support of Dr Spate at the eleventh hour, with hundreds of people and their pets crowding the street in front of her premises in Hall on Wednesday. The demonstration of support came as a fundraising page set up for the vet topped $20,000 in donations to help her recover legal costs.

Chants of "Jan Spate, Jan Spate" rang out through the passionate crowd, as people demanded her licence be reinstated.

Dr Spate, 72, refused to comment on the legal proceedings, but said she had wished to continue her work for another couple of years before she retired.

"I'm so impressed by everybody coming, it's a lot to ask," she said of the gathering.

According to Nils Lantzke, who owns therapy alpaca Hercules, Dr Spate is his vet of choice.

"I wouldn't go anywhere else, to be honest," Mr Lantzke said.

"She shows so much compassion."

ACT Herpetological Association secretary Dennis Dyer said Dr Spate is the only vet surgeon in Canberra who has the knowledge and expertise to treat sick and injured reptiles and amphibians.

"We are very disappointed that veterinarian Dr Jan Spate has had her licence to practice suspended for two years," Mr Dyer said.

He called for a meeting with the Vet Board to encourage them to review the decision.

"They're not really based on an understanding of what Jan really does as a vet, the contribution she makes."

However, ACT Veterinary Surgeons Board acting president Dr Steven Roberts said while there was an appeals process for suspensions by the board, given Dr Spate had negotiated for and signed the deed herself, there would be no reason for her to appeal it.