With the rise of mobile veterinary services, pet parents are finding it easier than ever to provide the best possible medical care for their fur babies. This is especially important in rural areas where access to services can be limited.
Mobile veterinary services are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s not just because dog and cat parents want convenience. The growing trend of mobile clinics arose in part to combat the lack of accessibility in certain areas. At the same time, at-home services are great for anxious or reactive animals, clients with mobility issues, and pet parents who need flexibility. Let’s look at what services mobile veterinary practices offer and four reasons they can be a great option for anybody.
1. They Offer Lots of Services
Depending on community needs, a mobile vet clinic can offer a wide range of services, including:
- Routine check-ups
- Vaccinations
- Sterilization surgeries
- Dental care services
- Parasite control
- Large animal care
- Diagnostics and examinations
2. Mobile Veterinary Services Make Care More Accessible
Many pet parents face barriers to accessing veterinary services, especially in rural and remote communities. For starters, the veterinary shortage is worse in these areas than in suburban/urban communities. What’s more, pet parents in rural regions face additional roadblocks when it comes to accessing veterinary care.
“The top three barriers for folks in rural and remote communities to access vet services are the high costs, transportation to urban centers to access vet clinics, and the long wait times to get an appointment,” says James Rodgers of CARE Network, an animal rescue and shelter in British Columbia, Canada. In response to the lack of services in his community, Rodgers launched Mission: Pawsible, a non-profit mobile veterinary clinic that services rural and remote communities multiple times a year and provides telemedicine services. The clinic also assists with spay and neuter surgeries at local animal rescues that have been inundated with a growing number of animals in recent years.
3. Flexibility and Convenience
Mobile veterinary services offer convenience for pet parents who may have difficulty transporting their animals to a clinic. This is especially beneficial for those with multiple animals, elderly pet parents, parents of senior animals, or individuals with limited mobility. What’s more, these clinics often provide more flexible scheduling options, accommodating the busy lifestyles of pet parents who can’t visit a clinic during regular hours.
4. It’s Easier on Dogs and Cats
Plenty of animals get stressed when they have to go to the vet, and this can make examinations and diagnoses more difficult. The problem is worse for reactive animals who will hear, see, and smell other dogs and cats in a clinic setting. What’s more, animals with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk of infectious disease exposure at a clinic with other animals.
Mobile veterinary services are perhaps most beneficial for dogs and cats when end-of-life care is needed. Some mobile clinics offer euthanasia services, meaning you can say goodbye to your beloved fur baby with them feeling safe, loved, and comfortable in their own home.
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
