# Retail Veterinary Support PetSmart Expands Virtual Veterinary Care Across Canadian Stores By Mursal Rahman | Published 2026-07-07 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-veterinary-support References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vetster-and-petsmart-bring-virtual-veterinary-care-to-stores-across-canada-302818798.html)  Retail veterinary support is changing pet retail by embedding [licensed veterinary expertise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-pet-care) directly into everyday store operations. Through the expansion of Vetster's virtual care platform, [PetSmart](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthy-paws1) associates in more than 140 Canadian stores can connect with licensed veterinarians when pets show signs of illness or injury, receiving treatment guidance, care recommendations, and prescriptions when appropriate. The program supports a wide range of common health concerns and covers multiple species, allowing associates to respond more quickly while complementing existing veterinary relationships. By integrating [virtual consultations into the retail environment](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-better-care-services), the partnership helps bridge the gap between routine pet care and professional medical advice. For retailers, this model can improve customer confidence, enhance in-store care standards, and strengthen service offerings without requiring on-site veterinarians at every location. As telehealth becomes more widely adopted, embedded veterinary support could become a standard feature of modern pet retail experiences across North America. Image Credit: Vetster ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 27% | Freshness: 85% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/pets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Embedded Pet Telehealth:** Licensed virtual veterinary access inside retail stores creates new service models that blend product shopping with immediate clinical guidance. - **Associate-assisted Care:** Retail staff supported by remote veterinarians represent a scalable alternative to fully staffed in-store clinics for common pet health concerns. - **Omnichannel Pet Wellness:** Connected care experiences across stores, prescriptions, and digital consultations expand the role of retailers in ongoing pet health management. ### Where This Applies - **Pet Retail:** In-store veterinary support differentiates pet retailers through higher trust, broader care services, and stronger customer retention without major clinic infrastructure. - **Veterinary Telemedicine:** Retail-integrated consultation platforms open distribution channels beyond direct-to-consumer apps and extend veterinary reach into everyday shopping environments. - **Pet Pharmaceuticals:** Virtual diagnosis and prescription workflows in retail settings create faster pathways between pet health concerns, treatment recommendations, and medication access. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pet Health Managers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vet-record.md) - [Value-Forward Pet Insurance Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthy-paws1.md) - [Veterinary Care Access Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veterinary-care.md) - [Retailer Pet Insurance Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spot-pet-insurance.md) - [Canine-Focused Wintertime Wellness Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wintertime-wellness.md) - [Pet Care Organizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-care-assistant.md) - [AI-Driven Vet Education Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorado-state-university.md) - [Rural Retailer Vet Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vip-petcare.md) - [Veterinarian-Developed AI Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/covet.md)