The interior of the Truss Vet location in Cary. Photo courtesy of Truss Vet
A pet-sitting startup born in the Triangle wants to make it easier for dogs and cats to find urgent care.
Driving the news: Truss Vet opened its first location in Cary’s Fenton development earlier this month.
- Founded by Brad Waffa, a veterinarian, and CJ Casselli, a graduate of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, Truss Vet aims to serve the bridge between a pet veterinarian and 24-hour emergency animal hospitals.
Why it matters: Over the past decade, the growth of human health urgent care centers has skyrocketed. Patients liked their extended, walk-in hours, while providers liked the work-life balance they provide. Truss Vet was created in the belief that a similar dynamic would exist for pet owners.
What they are saying: When his dog is throwing up on a random Tuesday morning, Cassilli tells Axios, Truss Vet wants to be just a few clicks away.
- At the moment, he says, most vets are still scheduling visits over the phone, when people are increasingly doing everything online.
- “A lot of consumers just want to wake up, book something online, walk in and be seen quickly,” Casselli said. “We’re trying to offer that experience.”
Status of the situation: Pet ownership has increased significantly in recent years, putting pressure on local vets who have more pets to care for.
- Remote work, Casselli said, has also put more pressure on vets. Pet owners notice their pets’ symptoms more simply because they spend more time at home with them.
Details: The startup also aims to attract vets. Waffa said that in his personal experience, most vets can’t schedule that much down time, and it’s very exhausting.
- Each of Truss Vet’s clinical workers works three 12-hour shifts per week.
- To accommodate that, the vet is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and closed on Saturdays.
Whats Next: Both Waffa and Casselli have high ambitions for the concept, believing it could be something that can be replicated in other cities.
- “If this is successful,” Waffa said, “I see us growing all over North Carolina, and potentially beyond.”
