While in the waiting room of an urgent care facility for himself, veterinarian Dr. Jim Dobies realized that animals also require immediate care when an injury or illness is not severe enough for the emergency room but profound enough that they shouldn’t wait for regular veterinary hours. Soon after, Dr. Dobies created UrgentVet in his home of Charlotte, North Carolina, and it became the first dedicated urgent care clinic for pets. Since then, UrgentVet has opened forty-four locations across the United States, and in late spring, Virginia was lucky enough to land two locations in Midlothian and Short Pump.
In the past, when a primary vet has been closed, pet parents had no other option but to take their dog or cat to a vet emergency room, often left to pay an expensive bill. But with UrgentVet, pet parents can rest easy knowing affordable and compassionate services are available 365 days a year, even nights, weekends, and holidays. UrgentVet bridges the gap between general practices and 24-hour emergency vets with more reasonable rates than the costs associated with an emergency vet. With all its clinics, UrgentVet strives to develop strong connections with neighboring primary care veterinarians, keeping them involved in their patient's care. Approximately 90% of pets seen at UrgentVet are treated on-site and referred to their regular vet with a detailed letter and records for follow-up care.
In his 25 years of veterinary medicine, Dr. Dobies enjoyed building close relationships with pets and pet parents alike. Wishing to bring that same vibe to UrgentVet, Dr. Dobies strongly emphasizes a welcoming environment with compassion at the forefront. Going to the vet can be a stressful experience for both pets and parents. Dr. Dobies ensures that UrgentVet is a comfortable place for all, allowing pets and pet parents to remain together the entire exam. Other luxuries include non-slip flooring, soft lighting, soothing colors, gentle music, and quiet exam lift tables. Even more, Midlothian and Short Pump staff members are Fear-Free certified professionals, ready to care for pets' physical and emotional needs.
Parents can register their pet online and quickly schedule a visit with the bonus of staying home until Urgent Vet professionals alert them via text message twenty minutes before the appointment. There are also convenient check-in kiosks in each facility's lobbies to expedite the check-in process. Like all UrgentVet locations, the Midlothian and Short Pump clinics include in-house laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment, including digital radiography and ultrasound technology.
With Midlothian to the south and Short Pump to the north, the two centers provide easy access for Richmond's western suburbs, including Glen Allen, Tuckahoe, Bon Air, and others throughout Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. "Every new clinic is exciting, but opening our doors for the first time in a new state is always a little extra special," says Dr. Dobies. "The Richmond community has been very welcoming, nothing short of spectacular, and we can't wait to show our new neighbors the level of care and commitment we can provide to pets in need." This July, Dr. Dobies opened another location in the Carytown area of Richmond.
Urgent Vet is located at 14300 Winterview Parkway, Suite 106 in Midlothian, and 11521 West Broad Street in Short Pump. Call (804) 924-0404 (Midlothian) or (804) 533-7733 (Short Pump). Register your pet at: urgentvet.com
"UrgentVet was drawn to the Richmond market due to its size and pet-loving communities. We immediately knew it fit our practice model perfectly." - Dr. Jim Dobies.