CASE STUDY: When Minutes Matter: Proceed Immediately to the Nearest Veterinary Emergency Hospital (April, 2024)

OBJECTIVE:
First-of-its-kind study conducted by CARE for Pets™ seeks to quantify that many general practices fail to provide 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital contact information (contact list) on their individual practice website to pet owners seeking emergency care and or after-hours care — in many cases the nearest emergency hospital is often not displayed.

  • In some cases, general practices may provide limited emergency services during normal business hours but are not open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7).

SAMPLE:
CARE for Pets™ reviewed the websites of general practices that provide primary care within the phoenix metro area in the state of Arizona. The sample size was based on the licensee directory (premises locations) provided on the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board website. A total of 221 general practice websites were included in the case study.

METHODS:
There are a total of 19 veterinary emergency hospitals that provide 24/7 emergency services for pets within the phoenix metro area. The general practice address was entered into Google Maps to determine the closest emergency hospital.

RESULTS:

  • 53.4% (118 out of a total of 221 practice websites) displayed a contact list. Nearly 1 out of 2 practice websites failed to provide an emergency contact list on their individual practice website — no contact list displayed to pet owners.
  • 52.5% (62 out of a total of 118 practice websites) displayed the closest 24/7 pet emergency hospital — 47.5% of the general practices failed to communicate and or display the closest emergency hospital on their individual practice website.
  • The average number of 24/7 emergency hospitals displayed on a contact list was 2.2 (median: 2) — total number of 24/7 emergency hospitals in the phoenix metro area is 19 hospitals.
    • Highest number of 24/7 emergency hospitals displayed on a general practice website contact list was 11.
  • 24/7 emergency hospitals that also offer primary care services are rarely listed and or recommended on general practice websites — competing hospital that provides similar services offered by general practices.
  • The average distance of the closest 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital to a general practice was 6.1 miles (median: 4 miles).
  • For general practices that failed to display the closest emergency hospital on their contact list – the average distance of the closest hospital displayed within their contact list was 10.3 miles (median: 9.35 miles) — an average increase of 69% in travel distance.

According to Todd Nemet, President and Founder of CARE for Pets™:

  • “Our research shows that nearly half of all general practice websites that display a 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital contact list, fail to include the closest emergency hospital. In my opinion, many veterinary practices may purposely avoid communicating the names of specific emergency hospitals to their clients that offer competing services — such as primary care. This is most likely resulting in a delay in care when minutes count, especially in life-threatening emergencies. In order ensure the best possible outcome, all veterinary hospitals should provide a complete contact list of all 24/7 veterinary emergency hospitals that operate in there metropolitan area.”

24/7 VETERINARY EMERGENCY HOSPITALS LOCATED IN THE PHOENIX METRO AREA:
There are 19 pet emergency hospitals located within the phoenix metro area that provide 24/7 emergency services. The list stated below is sorted in descending order based on the number of times (count) the specific emergency hospital was displayed on the contact list of general practices. Emergency hospitals that also provide primary care services were rarely listed and or recommended by general practice websites — significantly lower number count.

  1. VetMED Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Hospital
    • Location: 20612 N. Cave Creek Rd Phoenix, AZ 85024 | 602-697-4694
    • Website: https://www.vetmedaz.com/
    • Ownership: National Veterinary Associates (NVA)
    • Count: Listed on 47 individual practice websites — 8 of the general practices were owned by the same hospital group that owns VetMED.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.8 (389 reviews) | Google 4.3 (1,324 reviews)
  2. Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center – AVECCC Gilbert
    • Location: 86 W Juniper Ave Suite 1 Gilbert, AZ 85233 | 480-497-0222
    • Website: https://www.azervets.com/locations/gilbert
    • Ownership: National Veterinary Associates (NVA)
    • Count: Listed on 34 individual practice websites — 9 of the general practices were owned by the same hospital group that owns AVECCC.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.4 (330 reviews) | Google 3.9 (959 reviews)
  3. VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona – Mesa
    • Location: 1648 N. Country Club Drive Mesa, AZ 85201 | 480-898-0001
    • Website: https://vcahospitals.com/animal-referral-arizona/
    • Ownership: Mars Petcare
    • Count: Listed on 25 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 4.0 (230 reviews) | Google 3.8 (425 reviews)
  4. BluePearl Pet Hospital – Scottsdale
    • Location: 22595 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 110 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 | 480-949-8001
    • Website: https://bluepearlvet.com/hospital/scottsdale-az/
    • Ownership: Mars Petcare
    • Count: Listed on 22 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.6 (150 reviews) | Google 3.9 (121 reviews)
  5. Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center – AVECCC Peoria
    • Location: 7823 West Golden Lane Peoria, AZ 85345 | 602-491-1928
    • Website: https://www.azervets.com/locations/peoria
    • Ownership: National Veterinary Associates (NVA)
    • Count: Listed on 17 individual practice websites — 3 of the general practices were owned by the same hospital group that owns AVECCC.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.1 (77 reviews) | Google 3.8 (395 reviews)
  6. 1st Pet Veterinary Centers – Mesa
    • Location: 5404 E. Southern Ave Mesa, AZ 85206 | 480-924-1123
    • Website: https://1stpetvet.com/locations/mesa-az/
    • Ownership:
    • Count: Listed on 14 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care, Primary Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.2 (282 reviews) | Google 3.8 (818 reviews)
  7. BluePearl Pet Hospital – Phoenix
    • Location: 3110 E. Indian School Rd Phoenix, AZ 85016 | 602-995-3757
    • Website: https://bluepearlvet.com/hospital/phoenix-az/
    • Ownership: Mars Petcare
    • Count: Listed on 14 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 2.8 (314 reviews) | Google 3.0 (517 reviews)
  8. Phoenix Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center
    • Location: 4015 E Cactus Rd Phoenix, AZ 85032 | 602-765-3700
    • Website: https://www.phoenixvrec.com
    • Ownership: PetVet Care Centers
    • Count: Listed on 14 individual practice websites — 2 of the general practices were owned by the same hospital group that owns the Phoenix Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.5 (150 reviews) | Google 4.1 (364 reviews)
  9. BluePearl Pet Hospital – Avondale
    • Location: 13034 W Rancho Santa Fe Blvd Ste 101 Avondale, AZ 85392 | 623-385-4555
    • Website: https://bluepearlvet.com/hospital/avondale-az/
    • Ownership: Mars Petcare
    • Count: Listed on 13 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.2 (201 reviews) | Google 3.2 (484 reviews)
  10. BluePearl Pet Hospital – Peoria
    • Location: 9875 W Peoria Ave Peoria, AZ 85345 | 623-974-1520
    • Website: https://bluepearlvet.com/hospital/peoria-az/
    • Ownership: Mars Petcare
    • Count: Listed on 13 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.3 (204 reviews) | Google 3.4 (501 reviews)
  11. 1st Pet Veterinary Centers – North Valley
    • Location: 18453 N. 7th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85023 | 623-849-0700
    • Website: https://1stpetvet.com/locations/north-valley-az/
    • Ownership:
    • Count: Listed on 12 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care, Primary Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.2 (193 reviews) | Google 4.0 (815 reviews)
  12. 1st Pet Veterinary Centers – Chandler
    • Location: 1233 W. Warner Road Chandler, AZ 85224 | 480-732-0018
    • Website: https://1stpetvet.com/locations/chandler-az/
    • Ownership:
    • Count: Listed on 6 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care, Primary Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.3 (421 reviews) | Google 3.9 (910 reviews)
  13. Gilbert Queen Creek Emergency Veterinarian & Pet Urgent Care
    • Location: 18610 E Rittenhouse Rd Bldg B Queen Creek, AZ 85142 | 480-674-3200
    • Website: https://www.gqvet.com/
    • Ownership: Hippo Veterinary Group
    • Count: Listed on 5 individual practice websites — 2 of the general practices were owned by the same hospital group that owns the Gilbert Queen Creek Emergency Veterinarian & Pet Urgent Care.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care, Primary Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 4.1 (64 reviews) | Google 4.5 (320 reviews)
  14. Arizona Regional Intensive Care Specialty and Emergency Veterinary Center (ARISE)
    • Location: 21419 S Ellsworth Rd Queen Creek, AZ 85142 | 480-746-6600
    • Website: https://www.arisevetcenter.com/
    • Ownership: National Veterinary Associates (NVA)
    • Count: Listed on 4 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 4.1 (42 reviews) | Google 4.2 (143 reviews)
  15. Animal Medical & Surgical Center
  16. The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic (TSVC)
    • Location: 7311 E Thomas Rd Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | 480-945-8484
    • Website: https://scottsdaleveterinaryclinic.com/
    • Ownership: Hippo Veterinary Group
    • Count: Listed on 4 individual practice websites — 1 of the general practices were owned by the same hospital group that owns The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency and Specialty, Urgent Care, Primary Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 3.7 (598 reviews) | Google 4.3 (1,106 reviews)
  17. VCA McCormick Ranch Animal Hospital and Emergency Center
    • Location: 10380 N Hayden Road Scottsdale, AZ 85258 | 480-948-3873
    • Website: https://vcahospitals.com/mccormick-ranch/
    • Ownership: Mars Petcare
    • Count: Listed on 4 individual practice websites.
    • Services: 24/7 Emergency, Primary Care.
    • Reviews:* yelp.com 4.1 (152 reviews) | Google 3.9 (129 reviews)
  18. Veterinary Emergency Group – Chandler
  19. Veterinary Emergency Group – Phoenix

FOOTNOTE: *Consumer Reviews

  • Consumer reviews data is a snapshot as of April 24, 2024.
  • Yelp.com rating average is 3.7 (median: 3.6).
  • Yelp.com total number of reviews average is 215 (median: 193).
  • Google rating average is 4.0 (median: 3.9).
  • Google total number of reviews average is 538 (median: 425).

RELATED:

Companion Platform™ (Companion™)
https://www.pets.care/companion-platform/

  • CARE for Pets™ officially launches the Companion Platform™ (COMPANION™) — a pet health platform to help pet owners find the best possible care for all companion animals.