• Hero Banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Buying or Selling a Practice
Hospital Design
Leadership & Personal Growth
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Technology
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Live Conferences
Conference News
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

7 steps to a better relationship between veterinarians and rescue groups

November 1, 2014
Katie James, dvm360 Associate Content Specialist

Dr. Jeff Werber, owner of the Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, California, and a Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member, has worked with rescue groups for many years. The key, he says, is to make sure the relationships benefit both sides. Here are the things he says are most important to keep in mind when getting started working with a rescue or shelter group:

> Set ground rules. Start off with a clear expectation of what's permitted. This way, both sides feel that the agreement is fair, and neither will feel that they've been taken advantage of.

> Settle up each month. Don't carry balances from month to month.

> Stick by your discounts. If your provide discounts, don't deviate.

> Schedule time for rescues. If you don't want them to interrupt scheduled appointments with non-emergency walk-ins, say so.

> Be consistent. Set the rules and stick by them. It can get sticky when the rules suddenly change three months later.

Advertisement

> Go in with the right attitude. Nonprofit groups are passionate about the care they provide, be it a rescue group for a certain breed or a general shelter. Sometimes this passion leads to clashes with the veterinarians who are trying to help them out.

“Veterinarians who are willing to work with shelters and rescues have the upper hand right now [because] some have been burned in the past and won't form a relationships with a new group,” Dr. Werber says. “Going in with a positive but cautious attitude can help mitigate these conflicts.”

> Make sure the relationship benefits both parties. Dr. Werber's clinic agrees to give a discount of 20 to 25 percent to rescue group patients. He breaks even, or makes a small profit, but the real benefit is the source of new patients. The rescue groups, in return for the discounted services, refer their adopters to Century Veterinary Group as new patients.

While Dr. Werber works with several groups at one time, he says he sees roughly 30 to 40 new clients per month just from the rescue groups.

“Don't be afraid to ask [rescue groups] for [social media] coverage if you're helping them out,” he says. “Use it as a way to enhance your image in the community.” 

Related Content:

Career DevelopmentLeadership & Personal GrowthTechnicians
Managing pain in the postoperative patient
Managing pain in the postoperative patient
Thrive Pet Healthcare names new CEO
Thrive Pet Healthcare names new CEO
Do women sell their skills differently than men?
Do women sell their skills differently than men?

Advertisement

Latest News

Drug for acute onset of canine pancreatitis is launched on the US market

New Automatic 2-in-1 Pet Feeder and Water Dispenser launched

PetHub launches AI tools for pet owners

Prairie dog pups emerge from underground at Maryland Zoo

View More Latest News
Advertisement