Petcos first PetCoach location offers subscription-based veterinary care

Image courtesy of PetcoPetco recently opened a brick-and-mortar extension of PetCoach, its digital platform from which pet owners can ask veterinarians questions, shop for pet products and find educational content, in San Marcos, California, according to a company release.

“With PetCoach, we're reinventing the idea of a traditional ‘pet store' by providing complete care experiences-from grooming, training and daycare to full-service veterinary care-that simply can't be delivered by mail or by a mass retailer,” says Petco CEO Ron Coughlin in the release.

Other services offered by the new store include nutrition consultations, self-wash stations, dog walking and house calls.

PetCoach's online presence remains, where pet owners can now also access their pet's health and vaccination records and service history and book in-store appointments, the release says.

Though not a requirement to use its services, PetCoach offers a $9-a-month membership that covers up to five veterinary visits a year and includes discounted in-depth veterinarian consultations (via chat or phone), expedited answers from PetCoach's online ask-a-vet feature, and a free monthly toy or treat, among other perks. Nonmembers are charged $30 per veterinary visit.

Brock Weatherup, Petco's executive vice president of strategic innovation and digital experience, describes the new San Marcos store as an “innovation lab” where the company can “continue creating new, differentiated and personalized pet care experiences.”