| With the average cost of a veterinary office visit | | | | locate one. |
| exceeding $150 these days, it's no wonder that | | | | 1. Pick up a free local newspaper and scan the |
| pet owners are actively seeking out lower cost | | | | ads for upcoming clinics. Craiglist is another good |
| alternatives to their pets' veterinary care. One | | | | place to look for low cost pet clinics in your |
| popular source for veterinary services at reduced | | | | particular city or region. |
| prices is the low cost pet clinic. The popularity of | | | | 2. Call a feed store or pet supply retailer in your |
| these mobile clinics is growing exponentially across | | | | area and ask them if they hold a low cost pet |
| the country for one simple reason: when it comes | | | | clinic at their facility. If they don't, they probably |
| to veterinary preventive health care and | | | | can help you find a place that does. |
| outpatient pet health care challenges, such as skin | | | | 3. Contact your local animal shelter and ask if |
| allergies, ear infections, and minor disease | | | | they know of a clinic in the area. In some cases, |
| conditions, a low cost pet clinic can save pet | | | | they may even hold one from time to time. |
| owners big money! | | | | 4. Google "low cost veterinary" or "low cost pet", |
| Keep in mind that a mobile low cost pet clinic is | | | | followed by the name of your city or town and |
| not the same as a mobile veterinary clinic. The | | | | see what comes up. For example, Mobile Pet Care |
| latter usually refers to a house call practice. | | | | Clinic of Texas, a company based in San Antonio, |
| Veterinary house calls can be pricey; you're | | | | TX, has its own website with the date, time, and |
| paying for convenience (and mileage). On the | | | | location of each clinic it conducts. |
| contrary, low cost pet clinics are cheap because | | | | 5. Contact your local State Board of Veterinary |
| they keep overhead low. They set up shop in | | | | Medical Examiners (or the equivalent agency in |
| parking lots of shopping centers or the back | | | | your particular state) and ask if they know of an |
| rooms of feed stores. These clinics tend to stay | | | | upcoming low cost pet clinic being held in your city |
| in a location for a day or two and then move on. | | | | or town. Any veterinary practice that is not |
| Typical low cost pet clinics specialize in one or | | | | confined to one location must report the dates, |
| more of the following areas: vaccinations, parasite | | | | times, and locations of all mobile clinics to these |
| control and prevention, spay/neuter, and/or minor | | | | regulatory bodies. |
| outpatient veterinary medical care. When looking | | | | As you can see, it may take a little digging, but |
| for one, be aware that some exclude certain | | | | you should be able to locate a low cost clinic near |
| services. For example, many limit their services to | | | | you. The effort will be worth it, as it could save |
| vaccines and parasite control and do not offer | | | | you significant amounts of money. A low cost pet |
| any outpatient care. It is important to ask ahead | | | | clinic should not replace your regular veterinarian |
| of time. | | | | as your pet's primary care provider. However, it |
| Finding one of these clinics in your area can | | | | can serve as a valuable and economical accessory |
| sometimes be tricky, as they are constantly on | | | | in your best friend's overall health care arsenal. |
| the move. Here are several tips to help you | | | | |