How to Buy a Vet Clinic
Worried pet owners turn to vet clinics when seeking trained staff to help them care for their pets. While many business owners choose to start or purchase a veterinary clinic more due to a love of animals than a desire to get rich, there is money to be made in a business of this type. If you possess knowledge of animal care, hold credentials that certify you to work as a veterinarian or just hope to get involved in the business end of a company of this type, buying a vet clinic may prove a pleasing – and profitable – option.
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Instructions
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Select a vacant facility appropriate for the housing of a veterinary clinic. Many would-be vet clinic owners elect to buy a building and build their clinics from the start. If you choose this option, seek buildings that would offer an open waiting room, exam rooms and a sizable area for pet treatment. Also review the zoning of any building you consider purchasing to ensure that it is zoned for commercial use as, in most cities, you cannot operate a vet clinic in a building zoned only for residential use. In all likelihood, you will not find a building that is a perfect fit unless you happen upon a defunct vet clinic, so you will have to invest some money in remodeling the space to make it fit your needs.
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Outfit your clinic with veterinary equipment. One of the most costly parts of starting your clinic is likely to be buying equipment. To ensure that your clinic is prepared to care for all animal needs, invest this money in buying a plethora of supplies ranging from scales to X-ray machines. As you start your business, you can save funds by buying lightly used pieces of equipment, recommends VeterinaryChannel.com. When you do buy used equipment, take care to ensure that is up-to-date and gently used, not tired and antiquated. Also, start with just the basics and speak to the owner of a larger veterinary hospital in the area, arranging to refer patients that require more complicated or costly tests to her instead of performing these at your small clinic.
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Hire staff to run the clinic. Contact area vet tech schools as well as colleges and universities that train veterinarians and express your interest in hiring. These schools can help connect you with qualified candidates to work in your clinic.
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Express your interest in purchasing an existing clinic. In some instances, individuals who own flourishing vet clinics simply don’t want the headache of keeping up with the business any longer. If you have connections in the veterinary community, spread the word that you are seeking to purchase a clinic that already is in operation. If you are lucky, you may find someone looking to get a clinic off his hands; however, doing so would be quite serendipitous. If you do happen to luck into this arrangement, speak to the seller about sharing information as to which suppliers he previously used as he likely already sourced veterinary goods and using this supplier can save you the hassle of seeking out the cheapest price.
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References
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