Choosing the Right Location for Your Vet Clinic

Starting a veterinary clinic is exciting, but one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is where to set it up. The right location can mean steady footfall, loyal clients, and long-term success - while the wrong one may lead to empty waiting rooms no matter how good you are as a vet.

In India (and elsewhere), choosing a location isn’t just about rent - it’s about accessibility, visibility, and trust. Let’s break it down.

Understand Your Target Pet Parent Community

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  Residential vs. Commercial Areas: Clinics near residential colonies or housing societies usually attract steady walk-ins, as pet parents want a nearby, trusted vet.
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  High Footfall Zones: Busy markets or malls may give you visibility, but they can be overwhelming for pets due to noise and traffic.
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  Emerging Pet Communities: In cities like Gurgaon, Bangalore, and Pune, new societies with young families often mean growing pet ownership - a great place to set up.

👉 Pro Tip: Do a pet parent mapping exercise. Walk around potential areas and note pet shops, grooming salons, and parks. If you see many pets being walked in the mornings/evenings, that’s a strong signal.

Accessibility & Convenience

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  Parking & Entry: Easy car parking and a ground-floor entry are major plus points (especially for big dogs or emergencies).
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  Public Transport Reach: Being close to metro stations or bus stops is helpful in urban India where not every client drives.
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  24x7 Access: If you plan emergency services, avoid gated complexes with restricted entry at night.

Competition Analysis

Check how many vet clinics already exist nearby.

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  Too Many Clinics: If the market is saturated, you’ll have to differentiate strongly (specialized services, better facilities).
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  No Clinics Nearby: Could be an opportunity — or a red flag if pet ownership in the area is low.

👉 A balanced approach is to pick areas with some existing demand but room for better service.

Clinic Size & Layout Potential

Don’t just look at the building - look at what it can become.

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  Space for reception + waiting area
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  1-2 consultation rooms
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  Small pharmacy counter
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  Treatment room / minor OT
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  Separate dog & cat holding areas if possible

In India, even 500-700 sq. ft. can work well for a single-vet practice, but plan for scalability.

Costs & Negotiation

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  Rent vs Revenue Balance: Ideally, rent should not exceed 10-15% of expected monthly revenue.
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  Long-Term Lease: Locking in a 3-5 year lease at a fixed escalation can save you stress later.
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  Landlord Restrictions: Clarify if medical waste disposal, signage boards, or late-night operations are allowed.

Compliance & Local Regulations

Before finalizing, check:

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  Municipal permissions for medical practice
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  Bio-medical waste disposal tie-ups (mandatory in India)
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  Commercial electricity & water supply (different tariffs than residential)

Brand Visibility

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  Signage & Road Visibility: A clinic hidden inside a lane is harder to market than one on a main road.
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  Digital Location: Ensure your clinic is easy to tag on Google Maps - many pet parents search “vet near me” before stepping out.

Managing a clinic is about more than just space - it’s also about smooth operations. With Koko, you can handle appointments, billing, inventory, and reminders from day one. Request demo and we will get you started in just a few minutes.