Dive Brief:
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Walgreens is tapping the expertise of licensed veterinarians to offer vaccines, tests for disease, and micro-chipping services in 50 locations in Massachusetts.
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The vets are employees of ShotVet, a Florida company that has offered the services at Walgreens stores in Florida and Georgia.
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The services offered at Walgreens tend to be less expensive than comparable services at vet clinics.
Dive Insight:
These vet services at Walgreens stores, which are weekly tent set-ups, are sort of an extension of the health care services many drugstore retailers are offering to humans. The Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association called the initiative “problematic,” raising objections similar to those from physicians groups against drugstore-based clinics for humans — that all creatures need more comprehensive care.
Still, for consumers who are strapped for both time and cash, the services could have wide appeal and may help increase vaccinations for pets ... and traffic to Walgreens stores.
