How to Start a Veterinary Practice

Many of us view our pets as an integral part of our family. Others rely on the health of their animals for their livelihood. Veterinary clinics ensure our animals receive the vaccines and care needed to live a long and healthy life.

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Start a veterinary practice by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Veterinary Practice
  2. Form your Veterinary Practice into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Veterinary Practice for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Veterinary Practice
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Veterinary Practice
  7. Get Veterinary Practice Insurance
  8. Define your Veterinary Practice Brand
  9. Create your Veterinary Practice Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your veterinary practice. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Veterinary Practice Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a veterinary practice?

Every veterinary clinic owner will tell you that location is paramount to your business’ success. Choosing an area that isn’t saturated with clinics and with lots of pets (and/or farm animals) will help ensure regular business. It can prove beneficial to hire a veterinary consultant, who can help analyze your area regarding average salaries and demographics.

Below is a list of the additional supplies you’ll need, along with approximations of how much to budget for:

  • Medical/Surgical equipment – $40,000
  • Lab equipment – $30,000
  • Kennel equipment – $5,000
  • Waiting room/Examination rooms setup – $10,000
  • Clerical/Bookkeeping setup – $2,000
  • Practice management software – $3,500
  • Insurance – $2,000
  • Marketing materials – $2,300 – $8,000

If you have the capital to start with, many veterinarians have found success through purchasing a book of clients from an established vet upon opening their doors.

Opening this kind of business can be expensive–consider speaking with a loaning agency to determine whether a loan is available for starting a veterinary clinic.

What are the ongoing expenses for a veterinary practice?

Veterinary clinics must keep a steady supply of prescription medicine on hand at all times – their patient’s lives often depend upon it. Your inventory of medicine and specialty food will prove to be one of the greatest ongoing expenses. Until your business grows, you’ll also need to dedicate a portion of your monthly budget for a marketing strategy.

Your largest and most important expense, however, will be payroll. Your staff is both on the frontline and behind the scenes making sure the business runs like a well-oiled machine. Customers will come in contact with them more than anyone else. Treat your employees as the valuable asset they are and the business will be rewarded accordingly.

Who is the target market?

If you’ve decided to enter into a more specialized veterinary field, such as equine, surgical, or emergency care, the bulk of your clients will fall under that category. Standard veterinary clinics treat lizards, birds, and everything in between, for both routine and “sick” visits.

How does a veterinary practice make money?

Veterinary clinics charge a flat office visit fee. Services for testing, X-rays, and prescribed medicine are added to the bill individually, depending upon the needs of the patient.

How much can you charge customers?

Clinic visit fees range anywhere from $35 to $150, depending upon the demographics of your area. To help you create competitive pricing, obtain a price list from others in your general area. Traditional prescription medications are typically marked up 2.5 times cost, while preventives and chronic-use medications are set at approximately 1.5-2 times cost. Vaccine prices can be set based on historical pricing and food should be set at MSRP.

How much profit can a veterinary practice make?

The veterinary field was projected to realize a 9% growth from 2014 to 2024, higher than the average for most occupations. In May of 2015, the lowest 10% averaged less than $54,000 annually, while the highest 10% averaged more than $158,000. The median wage for veterinarians was $88,490 annually.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Veterinary offices have reported higher earnings by offering the following additional goods and services:

  • Become certified through The American College of Veterinary Surgeons, which will allow you to open a hospital that specializes in emergency situations and more serious illnesses.
  • Become a provider for pet insurance companies that offer benefits correlating with the services you offer.
  • Accept multiple forms of payment, including credit cards, cash, pet insurance, and CareCredit.
  • Specialize in large animals such as horses, cows, and other farm animals.
  • Maintain an inventory of products you believe in, such as food, skincare products, and toys.
  • Offer mobile services. Many clinics have partnered with grocery stores and pharmacies, scheduling a mobile staff to be on site several weekends a month. This attracts a group of customers you might otherwise not have come in contact with.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your veterinary practice is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your veterinary practice were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

When practicing veterinary science in most states it is necessary to obtain a veterinary license from a board certification. Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a veterinarian business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.

For more information about local licenses and permits:

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Labor safety requirements

It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements.

Relevant regulations include:

  • Appropriate hazard identification
  • Proper safety precautions when operating potentially dangerous equipment

Certificate of Occupancy

A veterinary clinic is generally run out of an office building. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a veterinary business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Veterinary Practice needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Veterinary Practice.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a veterinary practice

There are a number of ways to let the pet-owning community know you’ve opened your doors. Every modern business owner should have a website and social media pages. These are great tools for educating and attracting those within the community. You could also advertise on the radio and in the neighborhood newsletters.

Some clinics have realized great success through partnering with other local businesses. Connect with a local groomer in the area and offer discounts for each referral. It’s also a great idea to host an open house when your business is ready to open. This gives both parties an opportunity to meet each other and determine if it’s a good fit.

How to keep customers coming back

Pet owners often feel as protective of their animals as they do their children. Thus, word of mouth will be your greatest form of advertisement. If you hire a friendly and knowledgeable staff, deliver excellent customer service, and high-quality medicine, word will spread quickly.

To ensure your clients remain repeat customers, it’s also a great idea to develop an outreach program in which previous clients are reminded to bring their pets in for regular checkups.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

People who are properly certified and passionate about animals are best suited to open a veterinary clinic. In this line of work, however, you’ll often treat very sick and dying animals, many of which you and your staff will have to put to rest. Therefore, running this type of business requires emotional stability and compassion for the families left behind.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a veterinary practice?

The veterinarian’s typical day depends upon the scope of their practice. Most clinics offer standard services such as annual check-ups, lab work, and spay and neuter procedures. You’ll also take appointments for animals with more serious health concerns and prescribe a treatment plan based on your findings.

Part of your day will also be spent conducting research, setting broken bones, and providing a long-term treatment plan for geriatric and terminal pets. Veterinarians in more rural areas often go on house calls, treating larger animals like horses, pigs, and sheep.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful veterinary practice?

To practice veterinary science in the United States, one must receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree. Unlike most careers, you’ll come in contact with humans and animals throughout the day. Thus, it’s critical that you possess strong interpersonal skills and a great bedside manner.

Animals are unable to tell us what’s wrong verbally, so vets rely on behavioral signs to help determine where the animal is sick. Strong observation skills are also important for identifying an animal’s pain level or when they’re about to become aggressive. Due to the nature of the business, manual dexterity is also a positive skill to possess.

Pet owners are entrusting you with their beloved pets. The knowledge you gain through experience and education will help you determine a treatment plan. Trust in your wisdom to make good decisions and be able to back these decisions up when speaking with pet owners.

Many clinic owners begin their career working alongside an established veterinarian, often assisting in a vet’s office as they work their way through school. This offers invaluable information regarding how such a business is run, while establishing connections within the industry. The American Veterinary Medical Association and World Veterinary Association have both been instrumental in assisting vets with professional development, continuing education, and educating on the latest in veterinary medicine.

What is the growth potential for a veterinary practice?

After having made a name for themselves in the animal community, many clinics choose to open multiple locations across the city. There are also several franchise opportunities, such as Pet Depot, who offer independent business owners the support necessary to turn their vision of an 8,000 square foot business into a reality.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

How and when to build a team

During the initial stages, you’ll probably want to keep a lean staff. Studies indicate that most clinics employ approximately 3.8 staff members per doctor. Staff members include receptionists, licensed technicians, veterinary assistants, and kennel attendants. To ensure success, it’s critical that your staff be compassionate and driven to help animals in need.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading