VetCentric

About VetCentric

VetCentric, Inc. operated as a privately-held, national veterinary-focused pharmacy, founded in 1999 and headquartered near Baltimore, MD. The company was established to provide an e-business infrastructure for the veterinary medical industry, founded by two veterinarians and an entrepreneur. John Schroeder served as the President and Chief Executive Officer.

The firm's primary business was the home delivery of FDA- and EPA-approved pharmaceuticals, compounded medications, and therapeutic and wellness diets to pet owners on behalf of veterinary practices. This business model was designed to keep veterinarians at the center of patient care by providing them with a customized online store for their clients. This service aimed to improve compliance, enhance customer service, and reduce operating costs for veterinary clinics. VetCentric partnered with veterinary practices, enabling them to offer a trusted alternative to other internet pharmacies while expanding treatment options without increasing inventory costs. Revenue was generated through the sale of these products directly to pet owners, with the veterinary practice facilitating the prescription.

The company offered a comprehensive suite of services that included prescription medications for conditions like heartworm or flea and tick prevention, as well as more specialized treatments such as chemotherapy drugs and sterile ophthalmics. By 2010, VetCentric had partnered with over 9,000 veterinary clinics, processing more than 2.5 million orders for nearly 500,000 pet owners. The platform also offered integration with practice management software like AVImark, which allowed for electronic prescription transmission and automatic updates to patient medical records.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Vets First Choice in January 2012. The merger created the nation's largest online veterinary partner pharmacy at the time, serving over 6,000 veterinary practices. The combined entity aimed to provide independent veterinary hospitals with a more powerful online store, sophisticated marketing services, and a broader range of competitively priced pharmacy products. The acquisition was a strategic response to increased competition from big-box retailers and other internet pharmacies.