In this episode, Clayton interviews Vanessa White, the owner of The Vet Station in Molesey, an independent veterinary practice. Vanessa shares her journey from aspiring vet to running her own clinic, emphasising the importance of community and accessible veterinary care. They delve into the challenges faced by the veterinary industry, including rising costs, the impact of corporate ownership, and the complexities of pet insurance. Vanessa discusses her innovative approach to client engagement, such as her "Walkie-Talkie Wednesday" initiative, which allows pet owners to ask questions without the fear of incurring high fees. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The veterinary industry has shifted towards corporatisation, leading to increased costs and a focus on profit over patient care. Independent practices, like The Vet Station, aim to maintain a more personal, community-oriented approach.

• The Vet Station offers informal community walks where pet owners can ask veterinary questions without the fear of incurring costs, promoting accessibility and reducing the intimidation often associated with vet visits.

• A significant portion of pet owners in the UK do not insure their pets, and many insurance policies do not cover the full extent of veterinary costs, leading to financial stress for pet owners when unexpected health issues arise.

• The cost of veterinary medications has risen dramatically due to corporate practices and the influence of private equity, which can lead to inflated prices for consumers while independent vets struggle to compete with online pharmacies.

• There is a concern regarding the quality of veterinary prescription diets, with many containing low meat content and high levels of fillers.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always thought I worked in farm animals, but not many of those in London."

"It's got incredibly expensive. The last thing I want is for someone to be so scared of that."

"They literally exist to make money."

"Hypoallergenic is bullshit. Hydrolyzed is a different thing."

"You can treat them just if the dog gets them."

HOST BIO

Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few. 

Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica).

As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals.
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This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/