Tampa, FL (December 8, 2022) – UrgentVet is expanding its presence in Houston, Texas. The company will open new clinics in Clear Lake and The Woodlands—its 26th and 27th locations nationwide—to begin serving pets and pet owners in December and January.
UrgentVet emphasizes compassion, affordability, and convenience within its business model. The groundbreaking concept within the veterinary industry 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.
Set to open its doors on December 15 at 931 West Bay Area Blvd. in the Baybrook Shopping Mall, UrgentVet-Clear Lake will be a 2,400-square-foot clinic featuring two small-dog exam rooms, two large-dog exam rooms and one cat exam room. UrgentVet-The Woodlands, a 2,246-square-foot facility conveniently situated off I-45 at Exit 79, will open at 3335 College Park Dr. in Suite 250. The location is slated to open on January 12 and will house six exam rooms—three for small dogs, two for large dogs and one specifically for cats.
“It has been amazing to connect with the Houston pet community and see such a positive response to the UrgentVet concept following the opening of our clinics in Cypress and Katy,” said Dr. Jim Dobies, DVM and Founder of UrgentVet. “It is incredibly rewarding to know we’re serving pets and their owners at a time they need us most and we look forward to many, many more furry patients coming through our doors.”
Along with species- and size-specific exam rooms, both facilities are 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 central treatment area features an in-house laboratory and state-of-the-art equipment, including digital radiography and ultrasound technology. Committed to caring for each pet’s physical and emotional needs, all staff are also Fear-Free-certified professionals.
Demand for same-day veterinary care in the area is evident. UrgentVet-Cypress opened on August 25, 2022, and UrgentVet-Katy opened on November 17, 2022. Together they have treated nearly 1,000 pets with an average wait time of less than 30 minutes.
Along with veterinary staffing shortage resulting in longer wait times and limited care options, the impacts of a looming economic downturn in the coming year are also a major cause for concern in the industry. Nearly 50% of pet owners say they’ve decided to forego or delay veterinary treatments amidst inflation.
“Not only are we seeing the toll the ongoing staffing shortages are taking on our industry, but an economic climate that’s forcing pet parents to tighten their purse strings and delay their pet’s necessary preventative and—in some cases—emergency care,” Dobies said. “UrgentVet’s affordability is critical to ensure pets are receiving the compassionate treatment they need, and we are proud to offer a solution that alleviates stress for both pet parents and care providers with each new opening.” Price points at UrgentVet generally lie between those of a general practice and an emergency vet.
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 partners with local veterinarians to provide after-hours and overflow help for urgent needs. Approximately 90% of pets seen are treated on site and referred to their primary vet with a detailed letter and records for follow-up care. UrgentVet also aids busy emergency veterinary hospitals by assisting with non-life-threatening and less critical cases.
With its growing presence across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, UrgentVet will operate a network of nearly 30 clinics by the end of the year with many more locations coming in 2023.
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 www.urgentvet.com.
For more information, please contact:
Annelise O’Donnell | PRESS PR + Marketing
P: 813-470-0617