Chewy, the online pet supply giant is sinking its claws into veterinary services, unleashing its brand-new Chewy Vet Care clinics with the opening in South Florida. In a move that's sending tails wagging among pet owners, the company's first-ever physical vet practice debuted in Plantation, offering an extensive menu of services including wellness exams, urgent care during business hours, surgeries and vaccinations.
According to The Palm Beach Post, the Plantation location is just the first step in Chewy’s plans to expand its pawprint in pet care, with another clinic on the way for Coral Springs and more expected to crop up soon. Despite the paw-sitivity, this new venture is not open to all types of pets, as of now services are for dogs and cats only, leaving bird and iguana owners to seek care elsewhere.
"Chewy Vet Care is inspired and designed by a team of veterinary experts to combine personal, patient-centered medicine with the latest technology," Dr. Benjamin Carter, Chief Medical Officer at Chewy Vet Care, told WPTV. The clinics showcase separate waiting areas for not-so-social pets and spaces designed to keep animals calm and comfortable. Virtual 24/7 health guidance for customers is also on offer, adding convenience for pet owners outside of typical clinic hours.
Dog and cat owners will need to have a Chewy account to use the Vet Care services, which comes with the perk of accessing an online portal for their pet's medical records, care plans, and prescriptions. Optional membership plans are available and can snag customers discounts on common services. The clinics won’t leave wallets barking too much, with base prices for services like wellness exams starting at $75. Chewy, however, does not directly bill insurance providers, so pet parents will have to submit claims for reimbursement on their own.
Aside from in-person services, Chewy is bridging the gap between digital and physical care through their Connect with a Vet feature, which allows for one-on-one advice via chat or video call, “Our practices contain thoughtfully designed spaces for the comfort, and privacy of our customers and care team,” Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health, expressed during the announcement of the Vet Care launch last December, as per the Palm Beach Post.
