Tampa, FL (April 2024) – UrgentVet, the first dedicated urgent care clinic for pets, announced today it is expanding its footprint in Texas. The company will open a new clinic in Austin and begin serving pets and pet parents on April 25th.
UrgentVet emphasizes compassion, affordability, and convenience within its business model. The groundbreaking concept offers a new solution by bridging the gap between primary 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 12400 W US Hwy 290, Suite 430, UrgentVet-Belterra sits along one of the city’s most heavily trafficked routes and is easily accessible via US-290 and Ledgestone Drive. The clinic is 2,300 square feet with 2 exam rooms exclusively for small dogs, 2 for large dogs and 1 for cats.
“The pet parents of Austin welcomed us in the community the moment we opened our doors in Lakeway, Cedar Park, and Crestview last year.” said Dr. Jim Dobies, DVM and Founder of UrgentVet. “We served thousands and thousands of pets in Texas already,” added Dobies. “We’re excited to expand our relationship with the local pet and veterinary community with our fourth location where we will be one of the only after-hours providers of small animal veterinary care in Austin.” UrgentVet is also in the Dallas and Houston markets with a total of 18 locations throughout Texas.
Along with species- and size-specific exam rooms, UrgentVet-Belterra 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 one of the most Fear-Free products 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.
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.
“An unexpected injury or illness can be a traumatic experience for both the pet and pet parent,” Dr. Dobies added. “Our hope is that our area locations can help to eliminate at least some of that stress for those in and around Austin.”
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 Austin area. Approximately 90% of pets seen at UrgentVet are treated on site and referred to their primary vet with a detailed letter and records for follow-up care.
For more information, please visit UrgentVet.com.
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. For more information, please visit UrgentVet.com.