Essentials PetCare has jumped halfway across the country with the opening of the first of nine walk-in veterinary clinics planned at Dallas-area Walmart stores.
The company, whose lone clinic before May 22 was at a Walmart in Port Richey, Florida, is partnering with the retailer to occupy space in a select number of Texas stores.
The new wellness clinic is in Kaufman, Texas. The others are expected to debut in June in Anna, Cross Roads, Fort Worth, Frisco, Gainesville, Prosper, Royse City and Weatherford.
The clinics offer low-level care such as exams, vaccines and blood tests and treatment of minor illnesses like ear and urinary infections.
“Essentials PetCare clinics also serve to compliment full-service veterinary hospitals by introducing veterinary care to a large segment of the U.S. pet-owning market, which has traditionally not pursued veterinary services because of cost, and the company’s veterinarians educate clients on the benefits of full-service veterinary care when recommended,” the company stated.
The company is hiring full-time and part-time veterinarians to staff the new clinics. Its website shows starting annual salaries of $85,000 and employee benefits such as a 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching, three to five weeks of paid time off a year, and medical, dental and vision insurance.
Walmart intends to open up to 100 veterinary clinics at U.S. stores by mid-2020.