Key Takeaways
- Starting a mobile veterinary clinic is a good option for veterinarians wanting to start their own practice or expand their current business model.
- Key steps to start a mobile veterinary clinic are: Developing a business plan, meeting legal and regulatory requirements, investing in a vehicle and equipment, and marketing to and managing clients.
- How much a mobile veterinary clinic costs can vary widely, depending on your business model, location, vehicle, and equipment.
- Covetrus Ascend ticks many of the boxes needed to operate a successful mobile veterinary clinic.
If you’re a qualified veterinarian looking for an opportunity to start your own business or move out of a traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ setting, a mobile veterinary clinic could be a great option.
While mobile veterinary clinics offer some compelling advantages – such as lower setup and ongoing costs, flexible hours, and calmer patients – they still require thorough planning, compliance, and investment to be successful.
This article takes you through the process of how to start a mobile veterinary clinic and provides estimates of how much a mobile veterinary clinic costs. With the right planning and the support of a cloud-based practice management solution like Covetrus Ascend, you can operate a mobile veterinary practice that delivers great patient outcomes and supports a high-performing business.
5 Steps to start a mobile veterinary clinic
While being mobile is part and parcel of being a vet in rural Australia and New Zealand, urban vets are increasingly offering mobile veterinary services that are proving very popular with pet owners. While regulations and requirements can vary between states and territories in Australia, and across New Zealand, the overarching processes are similar:
1. Research and business planning
Develop your business plan: This should include your vision, goals, and a detailed market analysis. As part of your plan, decide which veterinary services you will offer. For example, will you focus on general consultations, vaccinations, microchipping, or end-of-life care? Some mobile vets may offer minor procedures or even in-home euthanasia.
Confirm your operating model: Decide if you’ll operate as a fully mobile practice with diagnostic and treatment facilities in your vehicle, or a hybrid model that offers mobile visits from a base.
Detailed budgeting: It’s important to know how much a mobile veterinary clinic costs. They typically have lower startup costs than a physical clinic but still require substantial investment. Consider costs like vehicle purchase and fit-out, equipment, consumables, staffing, insurance, marketing, and licensing. Get pricing from your potential competitors to inform your pricing strategy.
Set up your business: Decide what your legal entity will be – for example, sole trader, partnership, or company – and set up a business bank account and tax. Also register your business name and obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN) or New Zealand Business Number (NZBN).
2. Legal and regulatory requirements
It’s essential to check the specific requirements for your state or territory in Australia, or for New Zealand.
Veterinary registration: You must be a fully registered veterinary practitioner in the country where you intend to practice. In Australia, you must be registered with the relevant state or territory board, and in New Zealand with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ). You must also hold a current annual practicing certificate.
Practice or hospital licensing: Even though you’ll be a mobile service, you may still need to be licensed as a veterinary premises or veterinary hospital. In some Australian states, a vehicle can be considered a registered premises, but it must meet specific guidelines. These often require you to have a secure and appropriate place for storing drugs, disposing of waste, and meeting biosecurity standards.
Permits and licenses: You’ll need the right permits and licenses to carry and dispense scheduled drugs. You must also comply with all relevant acts and regulations in Australia or New Zealand.
3. Vehicle and equipment
Vehicle: The vehicle that holds your mobile veterinary clinic must be reliable and large enough to carry all the necessary equipment and supplies. This will usually be a van, trailer, or truck with adequate consultation and exam space.
Your vehicle must have the amenities to meet the required standards for a veterinary facility, such as secure storage for medicines and controlled substances, refrigeration for vaccines and drugs, sterilisation, lighting, ventilation, a source of hot and cold running water and a waste disposal system.
Equipment: You’ll also need a range of equipment to provide a high standard of care. This could include essential items like stethoscopes and diagnostic kits, as well as portable ultrasound and x-ray if required, surgical instruments, and emergency equipment.
4. Operations and logistics
Technology: You’ll need portable devices to operate all your systems and software, telecommunications like mobile internet, and payment systems like portable EFTPOS, online invoicing, and mobile apps.
Practice Management System (PMS): A cloud-based practice management system like Covetrus Ascend is essential for any successful mobile practice. Reliable cross-device functionality will let you manage appointments, access patient and client data, control inventory, communicate with clients, and invoice from anywhere with an internet connection.
“I use the system [Ascend] from my phone. I don’t have to carry a lot of devices with me. I look at my diary every evening and get ready for the next day, even when I’m home… I can have access straight away to the history, what medications they’ve had before, and I do the billing and prescriptions myself on my phone.” – Valeriu Nedelcu, Veterinarian, MobiVet
Clinical records system: You must be able to keep accurate clinical records for every patient you treat.
Biosecurity and health and safety: Establish protocols for infection control, sterilisation, safe handling of sharps and waste, and zoonotic disease management. You must also comply with Work Health & Safety (WHS) laws in Australia or the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) in NZ.
Emergency and referral plan: You’re responsible for making sure your patients have access to care outside of your scope of practice. This means having a clear plan for emergency referrals and being able to point your clients to a full-service, registered veterinary premises when necessary.
Insurance: Take out comprehensive insurance coverage, including professional indemnity, public liability, and vehicle insurance.
Find out more about why Covetrus Ascend is ideal for a mobile veterinary practice.
5. Marketing and Client Management
Build your brand: Create a professional brand for your mobile veterinary clinic, including a logo, website, vehicle signage, and social media presence.
Communicate regularly and effectively: Set up clear communication strategies with your clients, including how they can book appointments, what your hours are, and what to do if there’s an emergency.
Pricing: Your pricing model should allow for travel time and mileage. Many mobile vets have a base call-out fee with additional charges for the services they provide.
How much does a mobile veterinary clinic cost?
Starting a mobile veterinary clinic in Australia or New Zealand generally doesn’t cost as much as a traditional bricks-and-mortar practice. However, it still incurs some significant costs that need to be carefully considered and budgeted for.
The exact figures will vary widely based on your location, the services you offer, and the quality of your equipment. Here is a breakdown of the main costs:
| Category |
What this involves |
Estimated cost |
| Vehicle purchase & fit-out |
Buying a vehicle is likely to be the most significant cost and this could range from a ute to a large purpose-built van or trailer. Internal fit-out involves customising the vehicle as a mobile vet clinic, including cabinetry, secure drug storage, power, water and ventilation, exam table, refrigeration, and insulation. |
Vehicle: $35,000-$100,000, depending on type and specifications. Fit-out: $20,000, depending on complexity. |
| Veterinary equipment & supplies |
Diagnostic tools, surgical instruments, examination table, autoclave/ steriliser, essentials (stethoscopes, thermometers, microchip scanners etc), and consumables (syringes, bandages, pharmaceuticals). |
Essentials: $5,000-$15,000 Specialised diagnostics: $15,000-$80,000 |
| Vehicle systems (power, electrical, climate etc.) |
Wiring, inverters, batteries (or solar), lighting, power for imaging, anaesthesia, refrigeration, air conditioning. |
$10,000-$20,000 |
| Licensing & registration |
Veterinary registration, practicing certificate, business registration. |
$550-$1,300 |
| Insurance |
Professional indemnity, public liability, vehicle and equipment insurance. |
$2,000-$5,000 |
| Technology, IT, administrative setup |
Practice management software, scheduling, website, communications, phone/internet, invoicing and payments system. |
$1,000-$5,000 |
| Staffing & training |
Veterinarians, vet nurses / technicians, support/admin staff. |
Depends on if its owner/ operator, or staff are hired. |
| Marketing, branding, client acquisition |
Vehicle signage, website, social media, local advertising, promotional materials. |
$2,000-$10,000 |
| Ongoing operational costs |
Fuel, vehicle maintenance, consumables and medications, insurance renewals, equipment servicing, mobile connectivity, business overheads. |
Costs can vary widely, depending on distances travelled and consumables. |
Total estimated first-year costs for a mobile veterinary clinic
Considering all the above factors, first-year startup costs for a mobile veterinary clinic in Australia or New Zealand could range from:
- Low-end estimate: $30,000 – $60,000 for a basic operation with essential diagnostic equipment – possibly with a pre-owned vehicle.
- Mid-range estimate: $60,000 – $100,000+ for a new vehicle and a range of equipment suitable for consultations and common procedures.
- High-end estimate: $100,000 – $200,000+ for a top-of-the-line vehicle or trailer, advanced diagnostic tools, and a comprehensive fit-out.
Note: These figures are estimates and they can vary significantly depending on your choice of business model, location, vehicle, and equipment.
Tools and software to start running your mobile veterinary clinic
While operating a successful and profitable mobile veterinary clinic relies on you having a reliable and fit-for-purpose vehicle, the tools and software you need to run your practice effectively are just as critical.
That’s why it’s essential to have an innovative partner who can support you with the tools and software you need and keep you up to date with trends and challenges in your industry.
As a mobile veterinary practice, you need the right veterinary practice management software. Cloud-based Covetrus Ascend can help you manage your records, financials, and inventory while you’re on the go. It will keep your practice connected and organised, so your operation runs smoothly and seamlessly, wherever you are.
“We had outdated computer software and hardware and decided that a move to a cloud-based option was going to be better for us. Ascend gave us options for staff to log in elsewhere or do a quick remote check-in if needed.” – Leesa, Practice Manager, Curtin Vet Clinic
Read the ultimate guide to choosing your Practice Management System (PMS)
Covetrus Ascend cloud-based Practice Management Software
Covetrus Ascend is purpose-built for mobile and solo veterinary practices. It offers:
- Mobility and accessibility: You can access patient records, financials, diagnostics, and inventory from any device – mobile, tablet, or laptop – whether you’re in the field or at home, as long as you have internet connectivity.
- Real-time data: Ascend gives you instant access to client and patient data, consult notes, and financials, even when you’re on the move.
- Inventory management: Ascend speeds up inventory tasks with fast goods receipt management, automatic price updates, and improved visibility, so you have accurate records and streamlined operations wherever you are.
- Integrated communications: Ascend’s integrated communication tools let you text or email from any device, so you can maintain seamless client interactions. This improves responsiveness and client satisfaction.
- Insights dashboard: Covetrus Vetlytics is built into Ascend and it provides real-time insights into your practice KPIs. This helps you check your clinic vital signs, like revenue, invoices, retention, and compliance at a glance.
- Training and onboarding: Ascend offers free online training, a fast 3-step onboarding process, and ongoing support from a dedicated customer success specialist.
Strong Covetrus partnerships
Provet: Ascend and Provet – Covetrus’ distribution arm – are part of the same family and designed to integrate seamlessly. This lets you order easily, update your inventory within Ascend, and help you manage your stock efficiently without needing a physical stock room – perfect for a mobile veterinary clinic.
Crampton Consulting Group (CCG): Covetrus also partners with Crampton Consulting Group to offer expert-designed practice metrics, help you track your performance, and identify areas for improvement.
Find out more about why Covetrus Ascend is the ideal software for a mobile veterinary practice.
Why start a mobile veterinary practice?
Some of the reasons clients are choosing mobile veterinary services over those with fixed locations are:
- They allow for easier scheduling and they don’t need to leave home.
- Great for pets with limited mobility
- Reduces the anxiety some pets experience when travelling or sitting in a crowded veterinary waiting room.
Simplify Your Mobile Clinic Setup with Covetrus
If you’re starting a mobile veterinary clinic, Covetrus Ascend offers you complete mobility and efficiency, wherever your work takes you. Its intuitive, mobile-friendly design will keep your clinic connected and organised, so you can deliver excellent patient care and enjoy peak practice performance.
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