Did you know that in 2018 there were over 100,000 veterinarians in the United States? If you recently graduated from veterinary school and are looking through the mountain of student loans determined to open a vet clinic in order to pay those loans off, you are in the right place. We put together this quick guide to go over how to open a vet clinic.

Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of opening a vet clinic successfully. 

1. Make a Plan

The first step is to make a plan to map out the specifics of your business. You need to figure out things such as the costs to open a practice and the supplies you will need. Some supplies you will need are medical and surgical equipment that will cost around $40,000 if you buy these brand new. 

You will also have to budget around $30,000 for lab equipment and kennel equipment. Software, insurance, and bookkeeping should all be taken into consideration when coming up with your business plan.

Opening a veterinarian business can be an expensive venture but you can consider taking out a loan for all of the startup costs. Some veterinarians have purchased a book of clients from an established vet when they first open their doors to have some business right from the start. 

Something else that will be part of your plan is ongoing expenses to keep your clinic open such as veterinarian janitorial services.

2. Legalities

Next up you will need to form a legal entity for your clinic to make sure that you are not personally held liable in the event of a lawsuit. There is the option to form a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company (LLC), a corporation, or a partnership. You have the option of starting an LLC by yourself or hiring someone to do the paperwork for you if you feel overwhelmed. 

Another legality you have to think about is taxes. First, you will have to apply for an EIN which, you can do online, by fax, or by mail. Then you can look into your tax options because it will depend on your state and the business structure you choose. 

3. Brand and Site

Nowadays, you have to also make sure that you create a “storefront” on the world wide web for potential customers to find you. Your website will speak volumes to those that have not visited your clinic yet. 

Take the time to create a website that gives customers the right impression of how you operate your business. 

Ready to Open a Successful Vet Clinic?

Now that we went over the steps to open a vet clinic you can start working on your plan and get everything lined up to get your veterinary practice up and running. Once you open your doors remember that it is time to promote and market your clinic so that people know about your business. 

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