Petco plans to double the number of in-store, full-service veterinary hospitals by the end of 2019.
Fifty-five clinics are expected to open through agreements with Global Veterinary Partners, The Pet Vet, Thrive Affordable Vet Care, VetnCare and VitalPet. Petco already plays host to 55 hospitals operated by Thrive or The Pet Vet and one through Global Veterinary Partners.
When the 2019 expansion is completed, Petco should have 111 veterinary clinics in 21 states: 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.
“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 Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, the company’s director of veterinary medicine.
“Based on the success of our existing partnerships, our go-forward vet services strategy will continue to leverage this local partner model.”
Further growth is likely. “In the coming years, the company plans to identify additional markets and expand based on consumer needs,” Petco reported.
By comparison, Petco competitor PetSmart is the site of 849 Banfield veterinary hospitals across 42 states and Puerto Rico, according to a spokesperson.