If you’ve looked at the latest Veterinary Industry Index, you’ll know we’re in a very different place from the post-pandemic surge in client numbers and spending.
In fact, some of the latest figures might give you cause to pause:
Key Trends (as of Q2–2024):
– Client Growth has slowed significantly, now averaging just 2% across practices.
– Client Transactions have plateaued.
– Revenue growth has flattened out, with little movement since the end of Q2.
So… What Do We Do About It?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but here’s a good starting point:
Start by looking at your marketing
If you’ve been coasting on word-of-mouth or leftover pandemic visibility, now’s the time to re-engage your ideal clients. Who are they? What matters to them now? And where are you showing up in their world?
Our Mastermind members recently had an eye-opening session with Matt Madden from Heedly, exploring how modern veterinary marketing (done right) can be integrated, intentional, and tailored. Matt reminded us that marketing isn’t just about flashy social media – it’s about strategy, communication, and building lasting relationships with the people who already trust you.
And what about the ‘money’ conversation?
Another key factor in stabilising and improving veterinary performance during a slowdown is making sure your entire team feels confident discussing costs and the value of veterinary care.
In times of economic tightening, your clients are scrutinising every penny – and yet, pets still deserve the same level of care. Helping your team communicate pricing with empathy, clarity, and consistency is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
That’s where our Pricing and Performance Tools & Workshops come in. These are practical, practice-tested resources to help you and your team take control of your financial performance – without compromising care or values.
Looking Ahead
Q3 is typically a disrupted quarter; holidays, rotas, locums, and the general ‘summer silliness’ can scatter focus and derail plans. But it’s also the perfect time to regroup, reset, and revisit your 90-day and 1-year plans.
As we heard during our wrap-up session with Mastermind members: “Minds, like parachutes, work best when open.” Let’s keep ours open to the opportunities these challenges might be quietly offering.
Data
The Data presented in our Industry Index is taken from Vet Dynamics practices and may not be representative of the wider industry. If you’d like your figures included – and you are independent – pop an email to Clientcare@vetdynamics.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp
Useful Links
View the full Veterinary Industry Index
Explore our Performance Tools & Workshops
