BondVet Urgent Care, Basic Needs Expands To Merrick

MERRICK, NY — While urgent care facilities are seemingly on every Long Island block, one company is taking that formula in a new direction.

BondVet is an urgent care option for pets. The second location just opened in Merrick, at the site where Capital One Bank previously stood.

They have the capability to perform emergency work on pets. But Elizabeth Kaladeen, BondVet regional medical doctor, says they "try to accommodate all of the pets' needs."

She said owners can bring their pets for typical wellness checks. While all pets are welcome, they expect the majority of patients will be dogs and cats.

"There is definitely an opportunity to find a way into the middle ground between emergency and GP (general practice), so what we'll bring is kind of the best of both worlds," Chris Mahon, senior clinic manager for Long Island BondVet, told Patch.

BondVet has more than two dozen clinics, mostly in the five boroughs, with its initial location in Williamsburg.

Mahon said the prices will be competitive for Long Island vets.

"We tried to do a market analysis to figure out... to accommodate fair price for both GP and urgent care or emergency," he said. "We fall somewhere in the middle."

The other BondVet is located in Garden City, with Woodbury expected to open next and its footprint growing on Long Island in 2023.

The price structure across the island will be the same, Mahon said.

Aside from paying for convenience, BondVet is a "very tech-forward company," Mahon said.

Veterinarians use laptops to message each other internally. They also have virtual staff available to further assist.

"The design of the clinic is meant to be very warm and inviting," he said. "We're trying to make sure it's a good experience for the human parent and the pet."

Reducing any stress level, Mahon said, the waiting room is also a quiet room, as they don't have phones ringing.

Each exam room features a table with a built-in scale that rises with the pet.

"They walk right on, they get a few treats and the table gradually goes up," Kaladeen said.

With a full staff, BondVet can treat at least 32 pets on a given day. Although they accept walk-ins, they prefer to stagger appointments "so the lobby doesn't get too full," she said.

Appointments can be booked online.

Each BondVet has a theme for naming its exam rooms. In Merrick, they went with Ronnie, Charlie, Keith and Mick for the "Rolling Stones."

BondVet is open Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's located at 2192 Merrick Rd.