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8 Covetrus | ph: 855.724.3461 | fx: 888.329.3861 | northamerica.covetrus.com You'll make many decisions along the way to owning your own clinic. One of the most, if not the most important, is the location of your clinic 1 . Some veterinarians search on their own, while others work with a specialized real estate professional who can offer valuable insight about the local market and may know about available properties. There are three main things to think about when choosing a location, whether you're working with a specialist or by yourself: • Physical space • Demographics • Competition Align these three elements with your goals to help ensure you choose the right place. Plan your physical space Your practice must provide enough clinical room to support, treat, and expand your client base in the future. Veterinary real estate brokers are estimating that first-time practice owners in cities and urban communities typically start with about 1,400 to 2,000 square feet. They also stated that veterinarians generally work in 1,900 square feet or more for their first office in suburban areas. Plan for the long term, and your practice won't outgrow its space too quickly. So here are some things to consider as you begin your search. 1. Can the location fit the type of practice you envision, and how can you maximize the space? 2. Are you confident you'll want the location for a long time, and is it ideal for growth? 3. Is the location zoned for a veterinary practice? The local municipality handles property zoning and can provide specific information on a site. Look on the website or call the local zoning office. 4. Does the space need significant upgrades? If so, consider your budget, and if you're renting, find out if the landlord is willing to contribute to improvement costs. 5. If the location is retail, does it have adequate parking, and will neighboring tenants have noise concerns or raise other issues, given your patient base? When it comes to location, there are other things to keep in mind depending on what type of services you plan to offer (small animal; feline-only; urgent or emergency care; specialty and exotic, etc.). After locating a suitable space, your next step is to have a veterinary designer architect measure the space and produce a preliminary layout. The local design company can typically provide this service at little or no fee to secure your business. Choosing a Location for Your First Veterinary Clinic By Tapan Patel, Regional Sales Manager with Bank of America Practice Solutions Business Tips