Rising veterinary costs are forcing families into impossible choices—and it's not just hurting pets. Veterinarians face mounting moral distress when they know they could help an animal, but financial barriers prevent proper care. This crisis contributes to the veterinary profession's alarmingly high suicide rate.

In this episode, I sit down with Heather Schmid Moore, CEO and founder of PetCentric Health, to explore an innovative solution: subscription-based veterinary care plans for independent practices.

What We Discuss:

• Why 70% of families can't afford a $400 unexpected expense—and how that translates to delayed or avoided veterinary care
• The problems with traditional a la carte veterinary pricing and why pet insurance alone isn't enough
• How PetCentric Health's subscription model works: combining preventive care with flexible spending for sick visits and minor issues
• Why subscription plans allow pet owners to access more care on day one than they've paid in—and how this benefits both families and veterinarians
• The role of subscription plans alongside pet insurance, telehealth, and emergency assistance funds like the Petworking Angel Fund
• Real data on how subscription models improve compliance, reduce veterinary stress, and catch health problems earlier

Key Takeaways:

The way we've paid for veterinary care for the past 50 years isn't working anymore. Pet owners want bundled, predictable pricing—not line-item bills that create sticker shock. Subscription care plans address the gap between routine wellness and major medical emergencies, covering the primary care needs that often get delayed or skipped entirely.

For veterinarians, these plans reduce the pressure to discount services, improve cash flow, and allow them to focus on medicine rather than difficult financial conversations. For pet owners, monthly subscriptions eliminate the barrier of walking in the door, encouraging the regular visits that lead to early detection and better outcomes.

About Our Guest:

Heather Schmid Moore is the CEO and founder of PetCentric Health, which currently supports nearly 40 veterinary hospitals across 10 states. Her company helps independent practices build customized subscription care plans that work for their specific client base and clinical focus.

Resources Mentioned:

• Pet Centric Health: petcentrichealth.com
• Petworking Angel Fund (November cocktail party launch - details coming soon)
• ASPCA Poison Control (included with Pet Centric subscriptions)

About Petworking:

Petworking explores innovations in pet health, nutrition, and care through conversations with industry leaders. Recent episodes have focused on improving access to veterinary care and preventing economic euthanasia—the heartbreaking reality of pets being euthanized or surrendered solely due to cost.

Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction: Why access to care matters3:38 - The hidden crisis in veterinary medicine7:12 - Why the a la carte payment model is broken12:27 - How Pet Centric Health's subscription model works22:56 - Can you really use your subscription on day one?31:19 - Unlimited visits vs. flexible spending: what works?35:02 - Partnerships: insurance, telehealth, and poison control40:44 - Impact on economic euthanasia and veterinary burnout45:41 - Update on the Petworking Angel Fund

Subscribe to Petworking for more conversations about innovations in pet health and care.

Questions? Comments? Share your thoughts below—especially if you're a veterinarian considering subscription models or a pet owner with experience using these plans.