%20(1).svg){kind=small}
Financing to help veterinarians care for more patients.
No matter how many legs they have.
More Pets.
More Care.
More Opportunities.
The veterinary services industry continues to grow as pet ownership increases and advanced diagnostics and treatments become more common.
Veterinary practices combine meaningful work with strong business fundamentals.
Small-animal hospitals typically maintain healthy profit levels, while emergency and specialty hospitals often see even stronger performance.
For many veterinarians, practice ownership becomes an opportunity to care for animals while building something lasting.
Veterinary practices combine meaningful work with strong business fundamentals.
0
Billion Dollars
0
Billion Dollars
0
Thousand
0
0
Building Your Own Veterinary Practice
For many veterinarians, the dream of ownership starts early. It begins with the idea of creating a clinic where you can care for animals, support your team, and serve your community. No matter where you are in your career, the right financing can help you take the next step.
Associate Veterinarian
Partner
Buy-In
Practice Owner
Multi-Location Ownership
How Financing Can Support Your Veterinary Practice
Veterinary practices evolve over time. At different stages in your career, you may need capital to buy a practice, open your own clinic, upgrade equipment, or expand your facility. Financing can help support many of the goals veterinarians pursue as their practices grow.
Buy a Veterinary Practice
Financing can help you buy an established veterinary clinic, retain its existing clients, and invest in improvements so the practice can grow under your ownership.
-
Acquiring an existing veterinary hospital
-
Transitioning ownership from a retiring veterinarian
-
Upgrading equipment or exam rooms
-
Supporting staff and operations during the transition
Start Your Own Veterinary Clinic
Starting your own veterinary clinic, independent or as a franchise, is a major career step, and financing can help you cover the costs to open your doors.
- Building or renovating your clinic space
- Purchasing diagnostic and surgical equipment
- Hiring and training your first team members
- Purchasing initial inventory and supplies
Purchase or Expand Your Clinic Facility
Financing can help you buy, build, or expand your veterinary facility, so you can own your building and have greater control over your practice’s future.
-
Purchasing their clinic building
-
Expanding exam rooms or surgical suites
-
Adding specialty treatment areas
-
Adding boarding, grooming, or rehabilitation services
Support Day-to-Day Operations and Growth
As your practice grows, you may need additional capital to support everyday operations or new opportunities. Access to working capital can help your practice operate smoothly while you focus on patient care.
-
Hiring additional veterinarians or technicians
-
Expanding services or adding new treatment capabilities
-
Purchasing inventory and medical supplies
-
Marketing new services to your community
-
Managing seasonal fluctuations in revenue
.jpg "Image (1)")
Upgrade Equipment and Technology
Financing can help you upgrade veterinary equipment and technology so you can deliver better care, offer more services, and support practice growth.
-
Digital radiography and imaging systems
-
Ultrasound equipment
-
Dental stations and surgical equipment
-
Practice management software and technology
Real Projects From the Veterinarians We’ve Helped
Veterinarians across the country are building, acquiring, and expanding practices that serve their communities. Here are a few examples of projects we have helped finance.
Grooming Services Expansion
$850,000
A growing pet care business expanded its services to include grooming, enhancing its ability to serve existing clients while attracting new customers. Financing supported facility updates, equipment, and staffing to support the new service line.
Daycare Acquisition & Rebrand
$1,250,000
A buyer acquired an existing pet daycare and boarding operation from a retiring owner. The new ownership group retained staff, refreshed the brand, and introduced additional services to support long-term growth.
Retail & Service Expansion
$900,000
An established pet care focused business expanded into retail offerings to complement its existing services. The project included buildout, inventory, and staffing, creating a more comprehensive experience for customers.
Owner-Occupied Facility Purchase
$1,600,000
An owner-operator purchased the real estate for their existing practice, securing long-term occupancy and enabling future improvements to the space. Ownership also created opportunities to introduce additional service lines over time.
Veterinary Industry Insights & Resources
Understanding veterinary practice finances is key to building a thriving clinic. Our articles cover acquisitions, startups, equipment investments, and long-term growth strategies for veterinarians.
Why Veterinarians Choose First Bank of the Lake
Our team specializes in financing veterinary practices. We help doctors acquire clinics, build new hospitals, expand facilities, and invest in advanced diagnostic equipment.
$2 Billion+
In SBA business funding provided since 2020 — helping entrepreneurs across the country grow and thrive.
Top 3
SBA franchise lender Recognized nationally for helping franchise owners open and expand with confidence. ^
2,000+
SBA loans funded since 2020, supporting business owners at every stage of their journey.
Approved to offer SBA loan products under SBA's Preferred lenders Program.
^Ranked 3rd most active SBA Franchise lender since 2023, (by lending volume) by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
See What Financing Your Practice Could Look Like
Use the calculator below to get a rough estimate of potential veterinary practice financing, then talk with a veterinary lending specialist to explore specific options for your situation.
SBA 7(a) Loan Calculator
Estimate your monthly payment
Adjust the loan amount, repayment term, and interest rate.
$500,000
120
9.25%
How Our Process Works
Tell Us About Your Project
Complete the short form and share a few details about your veterinary practice goals.
Speak With a Veterinary Lending Specialist
Schedule a 30-minute call with our team to discuss your plans and financing needs.
See If You Qualify for the Next Steps
We’ll review your information and let you know if you’re eligible to move forward.
Our Approach to Evaluating Veterinary Practices
Our lending process is tailored to how veterinary practices really operate, so we can evaluate your clinic more accurately and structure financing that supports long-term success.
Cash Flow
We review Adjusted EBITDA to understand how a practice generates cash flow after operating expenses. This helps us evaluate how the clinic supports ownership, reinvestment, and long-term stability.
Productivity
Clinical productivity plays a major role in veterinary practice performance. Looking at productivity per veterinarian helps us understand how the practice delivers services and supports growth.
Utilization
We evaluate how efficiently a clinic uses its space, equipment, and medical team. Indicators like doctor output and exam room usage help illustrate how the practice operates day to day.
Staffing
We also review how staffing, medical supplies, and overhead are structured within the practice. Understanding these patterns helps provide context around how the clinic is managed.
Talk With a Veterinary Lending Specialist Today
Whether you’re buying, starting, or expanding a veterinary practice, our team can help you explore financing designed for veterinarians. Complete the short form, and a member of our veterinary lending team will contact you to learn more about your plans.
Common Questions About Veterinary Practice Financing
-
Is it possible to finance the full purchase of a veterinary practice?
Open or Close
In certain situations, lenders may be able to structure financing that covers most or all of the purchase price along with other related costs.
Eligibility depends on the specific project structure. A veterinary lending specialist can help review the opportunity and determine what options may be available.
-
What credit score do you need to qualify for a veterinary practice loan?
Open or Close
Lenders typically review several factors when evaluating financing, including credit history, professional experience, and the financial performance of the practice.
A strong credit score over 680 can help open up more financing options, but each situation is evaluated individually.
-
How do lenders evaluate a veterinary practice before approving financing?
Open or Close
Lenders usually review both the veterinarian and the practice itself. This may include the doctor’s experience, the clinic’s financial performance, the services offered, and the demand for veterinary care in the area.
Understanding how the practice operates helps lenders structure financing that supports long-term ownership and growth.
-
Should veterinarians buy an existing practice or start a new clinic?
Open or Close
Both paths can work depending on the veterinarian’s goals and experience.
Buying an existing practice often provides an established client base and operating history. Starting a new clinic allows veterinarians to build a practice around their own vision and services.
Some veterinarians also choose to open clinics within established systems or franchise models, which can provide operational support and a structured approach to launching a new practice.
-
Can veterinary practice financing include equipment and clinic real estate?
Open or Close
Yes. Many veterinary practice loans can be structured to include equipment purchases, facility improvements, or clinic real estate.
Combining these components into one financing plan can make it easier for veterinarians to manage a new clinic, practice acquisition, or expansion project.
-
How long does it take to get financing for a veterinary practice?
Open or Close
The timeline depends on the complexity of the project. Acquisitions, real estate purchases, and startup clinics may require additional planning and documentation.
Many veterinarians begin with an initial consultation to review their goals and explore possible financing structures.
-
Can veterinarians finance an expansion or additional clinic location?
Open or Close
Yes. Financing can support veterinarians who want to expand their current practice, open additional locations, upgrade equipment, or renovate their facilities.
Growth financing is often used to help practices increase capacity, add services, or improve the patient experience.
-
How do I know if I qualify for veterinary practice financing?
Open or Close
The easiest way to find out is to speak with a veterinary lending specialist. A quick conversation can help determine what financing options may be available based on your experience, the type of project you're considering, and the structure of the practice.
Still have questions about veterinary practice financing?
All loans are subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations may apply. First Bank of the Lake does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. All decisions concerning these matters should be made in conjunction with your professional advisors.
