Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world.
In 2019 about 62% of Australian households owned at least one pet, and that number is projected to rise. About 60% of these owners considered their pets an integral part of their family.
Veterinary doctors play a major role in ensuring that pets live a long and healthy life. The rising rate of pet adoption means that veterinary services are increasingly growing in demand. Before you begin setting up your vet clinic, however, there are few things you must do to ensure everything goes smoothly.
1. Acquire the Necessary Knowledge
If you have already been to vet school, completed the necessary courses, and gotten the necessary certification, then you can skip this step. If not, then you should first take a veterinary course and get certified to practice as a veterinarian.
Since this a medical field, it is worth noting that a veterinary course will require a lot of time and dedication on your part.
2. Carefully Draft a Business Plan
Even though you have been trained as a medical professional, running a veterinary clinic requires you to wear another hat, that of a shrewd business person.
You need to ensure that your business remains profitable, and the first step to ensuring this is to make a good business plan. Contrary to popular belief, business plans do not only come in handy when you’re looking to secure funding.
Like a building’s blueprints, not only does a business plan outline what the eventual target is, but it also highlights the necessary steps that should be taken to realize that target. Starting a business without one is downright reckless. If you intend to make your vet clinic a success, this dear reader would a good point to start drafting your business plan.
3. Select a Suitable Location for Your Clinic
Even as many businesses migrate to the internet, the physical workspace remains very important to a vet clinic. Clients will more than likely have to visit your premises, so it should be located in a convenient, safe, and spacious location, one that is easily reachable by road.
Consider hiring a local real estate professional, as they will usually have a better knowledge of the area.
You should also take into account the available capital. Of course, some locations are more expensive than others, and you need to ensure that your chosen location doesn’t strain your finances.
4. Get the Necessary Equipment
After you have selected an appropriate location and acquired all the necessary business permits, you should then equip your clinic with all the required medical equipment. These include laboratory instruments, medical equipment such as surgical blades, storage facilities, medications, and specialty equipment.
The latter applies if you choose to focus on a particular animal breed or species. Our bovine, equine, and feline friends, for instance, require different forms of care, so it is important to stock your clinic with all the necessary equipment.
5. Create and Maintain a Strong Online Presence
In this digital age, businesses cannot afford to ignore the marketing potential the internet holds. The internet allows potential clients to interact with your brand.
It also helps them determine whether you offer the services they need without having to visit your clinic. Also, they can read reviews from others online and quickly determine whether your services are up to standard.
Take the time to create a beautiful, intuitive website and to open a few social media accounts. If you get it right, these tools will boost not only your visibility but also your bottom line.
Do what you Know Best
While the process of starting a vet clinic calls for more business skills than veterinary ones, your primary focus lies in treating our animal friends. Once you’re done with all the set-up, start offering your services as soon as possible. Treat every client as best you can, and they’ll turn out to be your most effective marketers.
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