Tampa, FL (August 2024) – UrgentVet, the first dedicated urgent care clinic for pets, announced today it is expanding its footprint in Illinois. The company will open a new clinic in Elgin and begin serving pets and pet parents on August 8, 2024.
UrgentVet emphasizes compassion, affordability and convenience within its business model. The groundbreaking concept offers a new solution by providing pet owners with an option that sits between regular general veterinary practices and 24-hour emergency vets. Open nights, weekends and holidays, the company’s clinics offer pets relief for mild illnesses and minor injuries with rates significantly more affordable than comparable services at an emergency pet hospital. The model is akin to walk-in care for humans when their regular doctor isn’t available and the condition doesn’t warrant an ER visit.
Located at 1190 South Randall Road, Suite 104 UrgentVet- Elgin sits along one of the city’s most heavily trafficked routes and is easily accessible via South Randall and Bowes Road. The clinic is 2,570 square feet with 2 exam rooms exclusively for small dogs, 2 for large dogs and 1 for cats.
“When people have an injury or illness that’s not life-threatening, but still requires same-day attention, they often visit an urgent care clinic,” said Dr. Stephanie Smith, Vice President of Medicine at UrgentVet “We offer that type of care, but for pets in a veterinary setting.” The Elgin clinic is the first Illinois location to open, becoming UrgentVet’s 83rd location. UrgentVet is located throughout the United States with locations in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Along with species- and size-specific exam rooms, UrgentVet-Elgin is intentionally outfitted with non-slip flooring, dimmable lighting, soothing colors, soft music, calming pheromones and quiet exam lift tables, all in support of creating a fear-free experience. The clinic also has revolutionary tempered glass pet enclosures from Casco that are 70% quieter than metal cages—a design cue that helps make the enclosures the most Fear-Free product on the market today. As an added nod to pet comfort, all staff members at the clinic have received unique training to become Fear-Free-certified professionals. “The emotional well-being of the pet can play a role in the physical recovery,” noted Smith. “We strive to provide a low-stress, comforting experience to pets who visit our hospitals.”
As is the case with all UrgentVet locations, the clinic’s treatment area features an in-house laboratory and state-of-the-art equipment, including digital radiography and ultrasound technology.
With veterinary staffing shortages resulting in longer wait times and limited care options, the impacts of a continued economic downturn are a major cause for concern in the industry. Sadly, nearly 50% of pet parents say they’ve decided to forego or delay veterinary treatments amidst inflation.
“A sick or injured pet is a stressful time for both the pet and pet parent,” Smith added. “Our clinics serve as a go-to resource for pet owners who have dogs or cats in need of care for a minor condition at times when their regular vet isn’t available.”
Positioned to provide care for common conditions that require immediate attention but aren’t serious enough for hospitalization, UrgentVet treats vomiting, diarrhea, limping, itching, coughing, not eating, minor wounds, back pain and more.
UrgentVet aims to develop strong relationships with neighboring primary care veterinarians, a practice that clinic staff has already started in the Chicago area. Approximately 90% of pets seen at UrgentVet are treated on site and referred back to their primary vet with a detailed letter and records for follow-up care.
About UrgentVet
Founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, by Dr. Jim Dobies in 2015 and owned by American Veterinary Group, UrgentVet is the first dedicated urgent care clinic for pets. Offering after-hours services, its clinics provide pet owners, or pet parents as UrgentVet refers to them, with an affordable and convenient alternative to 24-hour emergency vets. It offers immediate relief for mild illnesses and injuries in dogs and cats with rates that are more affordable than comparable services at emergency vet hospitals. To learn more, visit online at UrgentVet.com. For more information, contact Luisa Garcia, Marketing Manager at [email protected].