Petco growing in-store vet hospitals

Petco is expanding its wellness services for pets.

The retailer announced a rapid growth plan to expand its footprint of in-store, full-service veterinary hospitals. Petco has added three new regional veterinary partners – Global Veterinary Partners (GVP), based in Weston, Florida; VitalPet, based in Houston, Texas; and VetnCare, based in Oakland, California. With the new partners, Petco will more than double its count of full-service in-store vet hospitals by the end of 2019.

In addition, Petco is expanding operations with existing partners Thrive Affordable Vet Care and The Pet Vet (which have partnered with Petco since 2017 and 2009, respectively), which have opened more than 50 veterinary hospitals in Petco stores in Texas, California, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.

"The growth of in-store veterinary hospitals at Petco is part of our commitment to driving positive change in the overall health and wellness of pets," said Dr. Whitney Miller, director of veterinary medicine at Petco. "By partnering with regional veterinary providers, including their respective networks of seasoned professionals, we can provide more pets and pet parents with convenient access to affordable, high-quality veterinary care, ultimately encouraging a deeper, more meaningful pet parent/vet relationship. Based on the success of our existing partnerships, our go-forward vet services strategy will continue to leverage this local partner model."

The partnerships are meant to strengthen Petco's existing suite of veterinary services offerings, which includes easy access to preventive care, vaccination clinics, full-service hospitals, Televet and pharmacy services, pet insurance and membership programs.

With the addition of its three new partners, by the end of 2019 Petco will offer full-service veterinary services across 21 states, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. In the coming years, the company plans to identify additional markets and expand based on consumer needs.

Petco operates more than 1,500 Petco and Unleashed by Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico.