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Be able to refer to a mobile clinic that is within the service area.

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Having more variable clinic hours, a lot of clinics aren’t open on Saturdays and Sundays so this may be beneficial to a number of owners

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Having a clinic within reasonable walking distance of public transport is beneficial to improve accessibility. Ensuring your clinic can also be accessible via wheelchair from public transportation is another consideration to increase accessibility

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On the clinic website, advertise the costs of common procedures such as spays and neuters. Even a range of estimated costs is better than an owner assuming they can’t afford something.

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Communicate with the entire team the client’s situation, ensure everyone is on board with accommodating their needs, listen and address any staff concerns

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Having walk-in opportunities available, payment plans

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Possibly schedule tele-health visits when appropriate, help find low-cost clinics that are closer to bus stops, mobile visits

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Try to schedule appointments in advance, possible flag account to follow up more frequently to confirm appointment

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Provide estimates and have information of lower cost resources available

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Have staff that can communicate well with first time pet owners, understand reservations regarding anesthesia even though spay/neuter can seem very routine for vet staff it is not routine for owners! 

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Have staff that can communicate well with first time pet owners, understand reservations regarding anesthesia even though spay/neuter can seem very routine for vet staff it is not routine for owners! 

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Clinic within walking distance/along public transportation route (that allows pets)

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Clinic within walking distance/along public transportation route (that allows pets)

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Have scheduling available online to see when next appt is available

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Have scheduling available online to see when next appt is available

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Have transparent pricing on websites/easily accessible via phone call

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Have transparent pricing on websites/easily accessible via phone call

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Are there any mobile clinics that work out of a van that could come to this owner? Can a friend drive him to a clinic?

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Are there any mobile clinics that work out of a van that could come to this owner? Can a friend drive him to a clinic?

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Are there any low-cost or high volume spay-neuter projects in the area that can neuter Dudley for a more accessible price? I've seen these be as low as $50!

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Are there any low-cost or high volume spay-neuter projects in the area that can neuter Dudley for a more accessible price? I've seen these be as low as $50!

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While getting all services done at one may be convenient, it would be worth it to split up the care in order to allow for less of a large financial burden at one time

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Clinics along bus routes, mobile clinics

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Mobile clinics

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Low cost clinics, grants, payment plans, crowdfunding

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Ensure staff understand the human animal bond and offer grief services and online options for coping

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Payment plans

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Mobile veterinary services

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More options for emergency during day hours, options on the weekends for those who work during the week

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Low cost clinics, free speuter days, monthly low cost efforts, low cost vaccines etc

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ensuring staff are trained in effective and empathetic communication without judgement

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weekend or later hour clinics, clinics that offer walk in appointments

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Clinic near bus routes or within close proximity to his apartment

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Mobile or pop up clinics or those with later hours or weekend hours

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Low cost clinics for spay/neuter and vaccines or mobile vaccine services.

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working with the client to get the patient the standard of care while still operating within the client's means: payment plans, splitting visit into multiple appointments and staging treatments, etc. Also having conversations and building relationships with the client and using cooperative patient management 

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working with the client to get the patient the standard of care while still operating within the client's means: payment plans, splitting visit into multiple appointments and staging treatments, etc. Also having conversations and building relationships with the client and using cooperative patient management 

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in-home veterinary care with later hours, clinics with weekend hours or with the option of drop-off appointments

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in-home veterinary care with later hours, clinics with weekend hours or with the option of drop-off appointments

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clinics along public transportation routes, mobile clinics, in-home veterinary care

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clinics along public transportation routes, mobile clinics, in-home veterinary care

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mobile clinics, clinics with weekend hours to accommodate people with weekday jobs, clinics along public transportation routes

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mobile clinics, clinics with weekend hours to accommodate people with weekday jobs, clinics along public transportation routes

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Low cost vaccine/neuter clinic, repayment options

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Low cost vaccine/neuter clinic, repayment options

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understanding staff that works on client communication skills and can help make the owner feel comfortable

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clinics that are located near public transportation, coordinating w/ public bus shuttles that sometimes offer pick-up services for people

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mobile clinics, clinics that have weekend availability so it works better with his work schedule

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local grants, payment plan options, low cost spay/neuter services (humane societies)

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local grants, payment plan options, low cost spay/neuter services (humane societies)

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humane societies

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mobile veterinary clinic

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low cost spay neuter mobile clinic or humane society.

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Doctors and tech, down to the administrative workers and social workers accepting these 5A's and building the trust of clients.

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Weekends and after hours are great idea.

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Easy access to those mobile s/n and vaccine clinic, plus great idea of having access to care clinic along bus routes. Even getting a Uber to transport system for those who can't get out, drive or even catch the bus.

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Mobile clinics to make the program of s/n or vaccines available for anyone.

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Main goal low cost spay/neuter with mobile units. Along with low cost access to care clinic and even vaccine clinics.

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Low cost spay/neuter clinic, use payment plans

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Clinics with evening/weekend hours, clinics that communicate primarily by telephone, walk-in clinics, clinics that schedule same-day appointments.

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Clinics that are located on or near a bus route (assuming the bus allows pets to ride), or are in walking distance to Mr. Martinez's home.

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Mobile clinics or spay/neuter programs, clinics with evening and weekend hours.

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Low cost spay/neuter programs, vaccine clinics, clinics that use payment plans.

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Low cost spay/neuter programs, vaccine clinics, clinics that use payment plans.

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Public trannsportation

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having doctors who are concerned about providing relationship-centered medicine

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shelters or humane societies

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government supported transportation like buses or call-a-ride programs

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community outreach clinics, mobile clinics

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shelter clinics or low cost local humane society weekend clincs

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low cost spay nueter cliinics and vaccine clinics

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low cost spay nueter cliinics and vaccine clinics

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shelter clinics, low cost spay/neuter programs

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shelter clinics, low cost spay/neuter programs

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payment plans, use of funding from donations to clinics

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payment plans, use of funding from donations to clinics

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mobile clinics, telemedicine (when applicable and able)

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mobile clinics, telemedicine (when applicable and able)

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clinic locations along public transportation routes, provision of rides, volunteer drivers

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clinic locations along public transportation routes, provision of rides, volunteer drivers

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care credit, delayed payment

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telemedicine (phone calls, videocalls), mobile clinics

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rideshare, alternative walking routes from the bus stop, biking with a carrier basket, e-bike/e-scooter

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ASPCA, mobile clinics

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vaccine clinics, shelter clinics

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mobile clinics, SPCA, humane society

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consider creating a Facebook group in the community where people can ask for pet friendly rides

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Transportation Services that are Pet Friendly 

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Transportation Services that are Pet Friendly 

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shelters and clinics from low-income areas should provide low cost spay/neuter costs. 

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shelters and clinics from low-income areas should provide low cost spay/neuter costs. 

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The local humane society or ASPCA should offer spay/neuter programs at lower costs

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The local humane society or ASPCA should offer spay/neuter programs at lower costs

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different payment options available, low cost clinics are super accepting

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telemedicine, humane societies

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ride shares, pet friendly drivers, friends, etc

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access to care clinics, humane societies, etc

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care credit, looking online for low cost clinis

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Project Street Vet

Street Dog Coalition

SVM associated clinics

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Spectrum of Care/Spectrum of Payment Options

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Spectrum of Care/Spectrum of Payment Options

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To increase the likelihood that Mr. Martinez will accept the wellness care and surgery plan, it would help if the clinic approached Dudley's treatment using a SoC approach. Kittens need a lot of care, but it doesn't have to be done all in one visit.

The veterinary care team should explain what to expect over the next few weeks and months in terms of the number of visits, vaccines, and dewormings that Dudley needs as well as which procedures are urgent and which ones can be delayed if time is needed to save up funds.

The team can prepare Mr. Martinez for the total cost of care by offering pay-over-time options, pet savings accounts, and discounted wellness plans that will make it more likely that Mr. Martinez and Dudley will be able to accept the treatment plan offered.

This is also the perfect time to suggest that Mr. Martinez purchase a pet insurance policy for Dudley, which could be an employee benefit that is offered by the school system.

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Pet Savings Accounts are an excellent way to encourage pet owners to be proactively prepared for future veterinary expenses. Not everyone has the discipline to set up a personal savings account without occasionally raiding it to pay for an impulse purchase. A Pet Savings Account offered through your practice lets your clients set aside a dedicated dollar amount on a monthly basis, that is specifically earmarked for veterinary costs, including medical services, prescription food, medications and preventatives. But Pet Savings Accounts aren't just good for your clients, they have multiple benefits for your practice. Here are the top 3 reasons you should consider offering Pet Savings Accounts, but read on for even more.

1. Pet Savings Accounts equip clients with available funds to help them manage and pay for future veterinary expenses when they arise.

2. Pet Savings Accounts bond the client to your practice because they have invested their savings with you.

3. Pet Savings Accounts keep your clients' money in your practice. If they have a savings account at your practice, there is less incentive for them to purchase preventatives/prescription food/meds from outside, online vendors. They will be more likely to buy these items directly from your practice with their saved funds.

How Does a Pet Savings Account Work?

Pet Savings Accounts allow your clients to set aside a dedicated amount of money on a monthly basis. Your client chooses the amount they want to contribute each month. VetBilling® drafts their checking or savings account in this amount on a recurring basis, and transfers the funds to your practice where it is held as a credit balance on your client's account.

Pet Savings Account autodrafts continue indefinitely unless and until your client decides to cancel the account, which they can do by contacting VetBilling®.

These funds aren't attached to specific services as is the case with wellness plans, so there is nothing to track.

Accumulated funds can be used to pay for anything the client wants - veterinary services, prescription food, medication, preventatives, even boarding and grooming services if you offer them.

If you want to limit what clients can spend the funds on, you can do that. It's totally up to you, but most practices that offer PSAs let clients use the funds however they want.

Who Are Pet Savings Accounts For?

Pet Savings Accounts are aimed at clients but they can also be used for your staff. You can easily set up a PSA for your team members. You can apply their credit balance to services or products, just like you can for clients.

Employee PSAs will keep you from having to do payroll deductions, and it will prevent team members from running up outstanding unpaid balances.

Pet Savings Accounts are also a practical alternative for clients who are hesitant about pet insurance. Unlike with pet insurance, accumulated client funds are immediately available to use when needed. Pet insurance requires a claim to be submitted and funds are then returned via reimbursement.

What's the Point of a Pet Savings Account?

The point of a Pet Savings Account is to encourage clients to think about, and budget for, future expenses - especially unexpected, costly expenses.

If a client has a Pet Savings Account in place, and they've accumulated enough funds, you will NOT have to set them up on a payment plan when their pet becomes acutely ill or needs surgery or emergency care.

This allows your practice to save the 4-5% or more that you pay to offer services like CareCredit or Scratchpay.

How Do I Set Up a Pet Savings Account?

Pet Savings Accounts can be set up right within the VetBilling® online platform. When you set up a new contract in the platform, simply select "Pet Savings Account" from the drop-down menu. If you are using the platform you already have access to this option.

If you'd like to begin offering Pet Savings Accounts, please let us know and we will send you a Pet Savings Contract template that includes information about what happens to the funds in the event that the pet passes away, the client moves, or the pet needs emergency or specialty services outside your clinic. We have contingencies built into the contracts for all of these.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 800-766-1918, or email us at clientsupport@vetbilling.com. We'll happily walk you through another demo if you'd like and answer any questions that might not have been addressed here.

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3 Reasons To Offer Pet Savings Accounts | VetBilling

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Pet Savings Accounts are an excellent way to encourage pet owners to be proactively prepared for future veterinary expenses. Not everyone has the discipline to set up a personal savings account without occasionally raiding it to pay for an impulse purchase.

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The AVMA explains how this can work without a veterinary-client-patient-relationship (VCPR). Since Mr. Martinez is a new, and inexperienced pet owner, he has lots of questions and concerns about the care that Dudley needs. A clinic that offers initial consultations, for a fee, over the phone with a veterinary technician would be a convenient way to address his concerns about the risk of anesthesia and also to create a trusting relationship with the clinic before he schedules an appointment. The clinic can certainly charge for the technician's time. Since Mr. Martinez doesn't drive, teleadvice would also save him a trip.

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​Telehealth, spurred by the rise of digital communications technologies, presents both opportunities and challenges for healthcare providers, including veterinarians and their staff. Understanding key definitions is important as you decide whether and how to implement telemedicine in your practice.

Telehealth

Telehealth is the overarching term that encompasses all uses of technology to deliver health information, education or care remotely. Telehealth can be divided into categories based on who is involved in the communication.

For communications between veterinarians and animal owners there are two important categories that are distinguished by whether a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) has been established: telemedicine, which is client-facing, includes the delivery of information specific to a particular patient and is allowable only within the context of an established VCPR; and non-client-facing models that involve delivery of general advice, telemarketing, and advertising.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a subcategory of telehealth that involves use of a tool to exchange medical information electronically from one site to another to improve a patient's clinical health status. Examples include using Skype or a mobile app to communicate with a client and visually observe the patient for a post-operative follow-up examination and discussion. Telemedicine is a tool of practice, not a separate discipline within the profession. The appropriate application of telemedicine can enhance animal care by facilitating communication, diagnostics, treatments, client education, scheduling, and other tasks. Practitioners must comply with laws and regulations in the state in which they are licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Telemedicine may only be conducted within an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, with the exception for advice given in an emergency care situation until a patient can be seen by or transported to a veterinarian.

Teleconsulting

Teleconsulting is a subcategory of telehealth in which a general practice veterinarian uses telehealth tools to communicate with a veterinary specialist to gain insights and advice on the care of a patient.

Telemonitoring

Telemonitoring is remote monitoring of patients who are not at the same location as the health care provider. This could range from the use of a portable glucose monitor to a wearable monitoring device that captures the patient's vital signs and other behaviors.

Teleadvice

Teleadvice is the provision of any health information, opinion, guidance or recommendation concerning prudent future actions that are not specific to a particular patient's health, illness or injury. This is general advice that is not intended to diagnose, prognose, treat, correct, change, alleviate, or prevent animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical, dental, or mental conditions. Examples include recommendations made by veterinarians or non-veterinarians via phone, text or online that all pets should receive annual wellness exams as part of a comprehensive preventive care plan, or that animals living in mosquito-infested areas should receive year-long heartworm preventatives.

Teletriage

Teletriage is the safe, appropriate, and timely assessment and management (immediate referral to a veterinarian or not) of animal patients via electronic consultation with their owners. In assessing patient condition electronically, the assessor determines urgency and the need for immediate referral to a veterinarian, based on the owner's (or responsible party's) report of history and clinical signs, sometimes supplemented by visual (e.g., photographs, video) information. A diagnosis is not rendered. The essence of teletriage is to make good and safe decisions regarding a patient's disposition (immediate referral to a veterinarian or not), under conditions of uncertainty and urgency.

E-prescribing or electronic prescribing

E-prescribing, or electronic prescribing, is a digital-based electronic generation, transmission and filling of a medical prescription, taking the place of paper and faxed prescriptions. Requirements for prescriptions can vary from state to state, and also depending whether they involve controlled substances. In general, veterinary prescriptions should be handled in the same way, whether on paper or in a digital format. Veterinarians interested in e-prescribing should check both state and federal requirements.

mHealth or Mobile Health

mHealth, also called mobile health, is a subcategory of telehealth that employs mobile devices. Some mHealth applications and wearables are designed to augment animal health care within veterinarian-client-patient relationships, while others are designed and marketed directly to consumers for their education and animal monitoring without clinical input (no VCPR).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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Understand key definitions and get answers to frequently asked questions about veterinary telemedicine.

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Mr. Martinez is an example of someone who is ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. He should be advised that he can search for financially friendly veterinary practices near his address by using the free, online Pet Help Finder tool that Open Door Veterinary Collective created exactly for this purpose!

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PetHelpFinder.org is HERE after extensive design to connect pet service providers and pet families.

Please visit PetHelpFinder.org to search and claim your listing or sign up if your organization is not already identified. Supportive instructions are available here, including how to claim a listing, add locations, add events, duplicate events and how reach us for help.

Listed providers are granted use of Pet Help Finder's logos to either add their unique Pet Help Finder URL to serve as a calendar of upcoming events and organizational offerings.

We have logos and links available to share the Pet Help Finder locator with your community and in your communications.

Pet Help Finder proudly partners with 211.org and United Way Worldwide to connect pet families with needed resources. Pet Help Finder also supports the Pets and People Together Campaign, providing its locator tool for pet services to keep pet families together. Pets and People Together is a national public service announcement campaign made in partnership between the Ad Council, Maddie's Fund® and the Humane Society of the United States. The campaign inspires people to #BeAHelper.

Made possible thanks to the generous launch support of

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Nathan Lyle - My Web Maestro - mywebmaestro.com

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Pet Help Finder - Open Door Veterinary Collective

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PetHelpFinder.org is HERE after extensive design to connect pet service providers and pet families. WHO Pet Help Finder was launched by Open Door Veterinary Collective, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The locator was made possible by a grant from Life of Riley, a program of Spring Point Partners that advances animal welfare by investing in diverse leadership and community-driven solutions.

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If they need pet-friendly transportation to get Dudley to the vet, they can call for a U-Transport® ride. This is a partnership between Open Door Veterinary Collective and Uber for Business.

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Rides for pet families in need

Multiple barriers, including transportation, affect the ability of pet families to access veterinary care.

Open Door Veterinary Collective partners with Uber for Business to remove this barrier with U Transport®.

The program fits organizations of any size and type to offer transportation for pet families in need. From a private veterinary clinic to a large animal shelter, U Transport® gets pets to veterinary care through a customized Uber platform.

Organizations fill out an initial interest form below.

Open Door will provide you with an easy, step-by-step guide to get set up and be successful.

Get connected to a project manager at Uber for Business to troubleshoot any questions.

Get your own Uber dashboard and set a budget you want to spend. A small amount can help cover a number of rides. Pay for part or all of a ride for clients. The dashboard makes it easy to track your funds and number of rides to share with your team, donors and grant funders!

All the data for each ride (including mileage and expenses) is tracked automatically. Easy reports provide stats at your fingertips.

Organizations that sign up to start a U Transport® program and list the program on our free pethelpfinder.org site may be eligible for a small grant to get efforts off the ground.

In just a few clicks, you will be on your way!

Questions? Email transport@opendoorconsults.org

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Nathan Lyle - My Web Maestro - mywebmaestro.com

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Transportation - Open Door Veterinary Collective

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Transportation Rides for pet families in need Multiple barriers, including transportation, affect the ability of pet families to access veterinary care. Open Door Veterinary Collective partners with Uber for Business to remove this barrier with U Transport®. The program fits organizations of any size and type to offer transportation for pet families in need.

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One of the local animal shelters might have a mobile veterinary clinic that they send into the community. These mobile clinics usually offer low-cost spay and neuter surgery and wellness care. For example, the ASPCA provides this service in NYC, LA, and Asheville, NC. Mr. Martinez can call his local shelters to see whether they also offer such services.

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Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs

Whether you've recently adopted a pet or you're considering doing so, one of the most important health decisions you'll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. (Learn more by reading our Spay/Neuter Your Pet page.)

The comprehensive and searchable database of low-cost spay/neuter providers below, made possible through our partnership with PetSmart Charities ®, can help you find affordable services in your community. We are continually adding to this database, so please check back soon if you don't find any listings for your area at this time.
Viewing on a mobile? Please flip your phone horizontally to ensure you are able to view full search results. If you are still unable to view results, please try a tablet or desktop computer. Enter your zip code below to search for a low-cost spay/neuter provider near you:
Frequently Asked Questions

Please flip your phone horizontally to ensure you are able to view full search results, and ensure that JavaScript is enabled. If you are still unable to view results, please try a tablet or desktop computer.

Please try searching within a larger mile radius, within 25 or 50 miles. If you still don't see spay/neuter providers near you, don't give up! You can try searching Google for low cost spay neuter options.

Please contact a clinic directly to find out pricing and services. These clinics are all individually owned and operated, and their pricing and services may vary.

If you are a low-cost spay/neuter provider, or know of one that is not in this database, please submit your listing for consideration. Submission does not guarantee listing.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY.

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Whether you've recently adopted a pet or you're considering doing so, one of the most important health decisions you'll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. (Learn more by reading our Spay/Neuter Your Pet page.)