Urgent care business model comes to veterinary medicine

Taking a cue from human medicine, a veterinarian has opened an urgent care clinic for pets in Belmont, North Carolina.

UrgentVet Pet Clinic was founded by Jim Dobies, DVM, owner of South Point Pet Hospital in Belmont, North Carolina, according to a release from the practice. The walk-in clinic is open after hours, 365 days a year, and it's meant for non-emergency issues that include ear infections, postoperative infections, minor wounds and vomiting. Clients also receive guidance for follow-ups and records for for their primary veterinarians.

Logo courtesy of UrgentVet Pet Clinic. The clinic's motto is, “Prompt care shouldn't only be available to humans. After all, your pet can't wait to feel better.” If more emergency assistance is needed, UrgentVet will work with other animal hospitals.

“In recent years, the number of urgent care clinics for people has significantly increased, yet there existed a noticeable gap in comparable services for animals,” Dobies says in the release. “We knew it was time to rise and meet the growing need for quick, easy-access, after-hours care for pets that need comfort and relief.”

The clinic is open 5 p.m. to midnight from Monday through Friday and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.