Mobile veterinary clinics may be best recognized as nonprofit organizations providing free or low-cost spay and neuter services to underserved communities, holistic house call veterinarians or volunteer operations bringing critical care to animals located in vet deserts. With the rise in U.S. consumer demand for convenience, mobile companion animal healthcare services have become increasingly popular. For veterinary businesses on wheels, providing quality care to pawed patients and excellent customer service to clients goes hand in paw. To increase client satisfaction and revenue, mobile veterinarians can incorporate additional services of convenience for clients.
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), U.S. consumers spent a total of $15.95 billion on veterinary care and $14.71 billion on companion animal over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and supplies in 2016. For 2017, spending is projected to reach $16.62 billion for veterinary care and $14.93 billion for OTC medicine and supplies. This increase is in part due to the rise in homes with companion animals, with 60.2 million households having dogs and 47.1 million households having cats, APPA reports.
What does this mean for mobile veterinary clinics? There is a growing number of consumers who are willing to fund easily assessable veterinary services.
Why Veterinary Professionals Go Mobile
Low start-up costs and a closer connection with clients and pawed patients are two reasons why veterinarians are leaving brick-and-mortar offices behind. Veterinary vehicle manufacturer La Boit found that the cost of running a mobile clinic is considerably less than running a grounded clinic, with mobile clinics costing owners roughly $300 a day, totaling at $72,600 per year with an average net profit of $239,900. These small business are typically run by one to three veterinary professionals. According to La Boit, 75 percent of clients — veterinarians who own a mobile clinic — have a veterinary technician on board.
Going mobile allows veterinarians to expand their clientele by reaching clients that are located further away from veterinary offices. Additional benefits of working a mobile clinic include revenue from house call fees, the ability to go where the demand is and free advertising by driving mobile vans with a company logo.
Why Consumers Choose Mobile Clinics
The difficulties that some companion animal guardians experience when transporting pawed patients to and from veterinary offices, along with the animal’s own anxiety of riding in cars and being in an unfamiliar place surrounded by humans and other animals, can deter consumers from scheduling appointments. Mobile veterinarians have a leg up on their stationary counterparts by offering a stress-free environment in a small vehicle and or in the client’s own home. Other selling points for mobile veterinary clinics include:
- Extended business hours
- Reduced risk of contagious disease
- Convenience for older and or immobile companion animals
- At-home euthanasia
- Insured safety for aggressive companion animals
- Convenience for multi-animal households
- Convenience for households with young children
- Access to vet care for housebound consumers and or those without transportation
Additional Selling Points for Mobile Veterinary Clinics
Mobile veterinary clinics provide a level of convenience unmatched by traditional animal care businesses. To complement the ever-growing demand for stress-free and convenient veterinary services, mobile clinics can implement CrossCheck’s Multiple Check program.
Our Multiple Check service benefits mobile clinic owners and clients by providing a payment plan that satisfies both party needs. Clients will receive extra time to fund critical care for their beloved companions by writing 2 - 4 checks that are deposited over a 30 – day window. CrossCheck guarantees funding of all approved checks, allowing business owners to continue providing necessary care to pawed patients while increasing client satisfaction. Download our free guide to learn more.
