Petco brings PetCoach offline with full-service shopJuly 26, 2018A PetCoach store has opened in San Marcos, Calif., bringing Petco's previously online-only veterinary-led platform to life in a retail setting. "With PetCoach, we are reinventing the idea of a traditional pet store by providing complete care experiences that simply cannot be delivered by mail or by a mass retailer," said Ron Coughlin, CEO of Petco. Advertised as an essential one-stop shop for animal care needs, the location's on-site services include grooming, training, veterinary care, nutrition consultations, day care, self-wash stations, mobile veterinary house calls, and dog walking. Subscribers who pay a $9 monthly membership fee receive discounts on goods and services. "Pet parents tell us they want expert advice they can trust and easy, seamless access to everything they need to take the best possible care of the pets they love," said Coughlin. Digitally, pet owners can create custom profiles and view their pets' health and vaccination records, book in-store service appointments, and sign up for tailored reminders. The service also offers immediate access to pet health advice from veterinarians. "The new PetCoach location serves as an innovation lab where we can test and learn more about what pet parents want and need to live their best lives …
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What Veterinary Practice News readers loved in 2017December 15, 2017Another new year is upon us, but before we embrace 2018 and all it might have to offer veterinary professionals and the industry, let's recap Veterinary Practice News' 10 most-read features of 2017. 1. Canine influenza virus 2017: Beyond two show dogs 2. 10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy 3. University of Minnesota develops cancer drug that helps dogs with hemangiosarcoma 4. Study: Cats eating dry food have increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes 5. Zoetis earns license for Cytopoint skin therapy 6. Raising greyhound health awareness 7. American Association of Feline Practitioners revises declawing position 8. The 7 top challenges facing veterinary medicine in 2017 9. Petco officially enters the veterinary hospital ring with Thrive 10. The strangest things vet techs have heard clients say
Petco officially enters the veterinary hospital ring with ThriveOctober 10, 2017Petco has an answer to PetSmart's Banfield Pet Hospitals: Thrive Affordable Vet Care clinics. The company's first Thrive opened inside a brand-new Petco in Aldine, Texas, last week. Thrive offers $10 exams and "a full suite of in-store veterinary care and wellness services," according to the company. Twelve more Thrive veterinary hospitals will open within newly remodeled Petco stores in Texas, California, and Colorado through the end of 2017. "While pet health and wellness are increasingly important to pet parents, navigating veterinary services in particular can be confusing and overwhelming," said Brad Weston, Petco CEO. "Understanding what pets need at each stage of life, what constitutes routine care, urgent or specialty care, and when to seek veterinary expertise are common challenges pet parents face. "By expanding our in-store veterinary services, Petco's veterinary professionals can help pet parents through every step of their pets' health and wellness needs, all in one convenient location," he added. "Our Aldine location is the first of our new in-store hospital design, and we are excited about bringing more of these locations to the Houston market in the next few months." In addition to new in-store veterinary hospitals operated by …
Petco retreats from 'Pet Check' programJuly 28, 2016Might pet owners view groomers as de facto veterinarians? Yes, says the America Veterinary Medical Association, which persuaded Petco to change the retail chain’s “7-point Pet Care Check.” The campaign called on Petco groomers to examine a pet’s eyes, ears, teeth, nose, underside, skin, coat, nails and pads to “make sure nothing looks or feels abnormal.”
