Where can I turn for help?
Buying or starting a practice can be one of the most overwhelming moves of your veterinary career. But you don't have to experience it alone. These resources can help you create research that guarantees your new hospital's success.
By Carolyn Chapman
Buying or starting a practice can be one of the most overwhelming moves of your veterinary career. But you don't have to experience it alone. These resources can help you create research that guarantees your new hospital's success.
Statistics
Area map--Local real estate agent or county or city engineer
Dog and cat licenses--County or city offices
Pet ownership information--U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook (AVMA), 1995 AAHA Report, or local breeder groups
Population statistics--Local library, chamber of commerce, or economic-development agency
Housing costs/new developments--Local real estate agent, economic-development agency, chamber of commerce
Business locations--Chamber of commerce or economic-development agency
Current practice locations--Vet Data Inc. or yellow pages
Potential spending per client--AVMA
Economic statistics--Veterinary Economics, AVMA, or AAHA
Consultants and experts
Veterinary architects can recommend alternative facilities
Commercial real estate agents can identify potential sites and obtain a topographic land survey
Financial consultants can review your business plan
Practice-management consultants can review area veterinary services and recommend business strategies
Veterinary research consultants can create demographic surveys
Attorneys can review leasing or purchase agreements and previous land ownership documents
Builders can recommend facility plans or upgrades
Demographic and real estate Web sites
Public Economics Inc. at http://www.pub-econ.com/demog.htm
May 1998 Veterinary Economics
