Affordable veterinary care is helping communities care for and keep their pets
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
By Shelly Talsma Everson
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Veterinary care has become another pressure point in the American household budget, where even the most devoted pet owners are being forced into impossible math. A PetSmart Charities-Gallup study found that more than half of U.S. pet parents have skipped or declined needed veterinary care, with 71% citing cost as the reason, while 94% of veterinarians say client finances limit recommended care.
Now, Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is bringing its low-cost veterinary surgery model to Flagstaff, giving Northern Arizona pet owners access to affordable procedures and preventive care at a time when the rising cost of everyday life is reshaping how families make decisions, even for the animals they love most.
“Veterinary care has gotten too expensive for too many families,” said Doug Patriquin, co-founder of Dr. Kelly’s. “People are already juggling rent, groceries, medical bills, and all the everyday costs that keep going up. When a pet suddenly needs surgery, it can feel impossible. We want families to have another option before they have to delay care, give up a pet, or make a heartbreaking decision.”
Located at 3502 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff, the clinic gives Northern Arizona pet owners a closer, lower-cost option for common surgical and preventive services. The expansion also addresses a geographic gap for pet owners in Flagstaff and surrounding communities who previously had to travel hours for more affordable care.
Since its founding in 2016, Dr. Kelly’s has grown across Arizona by focusing on a simple but increasingly urgent idea: high-quality outpatient veterinary procedures should be clear, accessible, and priced in a way that families can understand before they walk through the door. Its streamlined model centers on transparent pricing, efficient booking, common surgeries, preventive care, and no unnecessary frills.
The company has completed more than 250,000 surgeries and has built a following among pet owners, rescue organizations, and families looking for practical access to care without the sticker shock that can turn a routine procedure into a financial emergency.
“We’re not trying to replace a pet’s regular veterinarian,” said Dr. Kelly Patriquin, DVM, co-founder and lead veterinarian of Dr. Kelly’s. “We’re here for the families who know their pet needs care but are worried about what it will cost. Our clinics are built to make common surgeries and preventive care easier to access, without the fancy lobby, surprise fees, or pressure. It’s straightforward, compassionate care at a price more families can manage.”
That model is becoming increasingly relevant as the veterinary industry faces a larger affordability problem. According to Vetsource’s January 2026 veterinary industry white paper, based on transactional data from nearly 6,500 practices, patient visits fell 3.1% in 2025, following declines of 1.4% in 2023 and 2.6% in 2024, while wellness visits dropped 3.8%, underscoring how rising costs and shifting client behavior continue to reshape access to veterinary care.
In Flagstaff, where families, students, retirees, working households, rural pet owners, and surrounding communities all intersect, access to affordable care is not simply a convenience issue. It can determine whether a pet receives timely treatment at all.
“People in Northern Arizona have been asking us for years to come closer,” said Doug Patriquin. “We have seen pet owners drive long distances because they could not afford the same procedure somewhere else. Bringing this model to Flagstaff means those families have a better option closer to home.”
The Flagstaff clinic offers Dr. Kelly’s core menu of affordable surgical and preventive services, including:
● Spay and Neuter: Routine surgeries designed to help prevent unwanted litters and support long-term pet health.
● Dental Care: Professional cleanings and extractions to address oral health issues before they become more serious.
● Mass Removals: Surgical removal of lumps and masses, with a focus on timely, accessible care.
● Vaccinations: Preventive vaccines to help protect pets from common illnesses and diseases.
● Microchipping: A quick, simple service that helps reunite lost pets with their families.
● Outpatient Surgery: Select procedures are performed in a streamlined clinical setting.
● Easy Online Access: Clients can book appointments, view pricing, and review pre-surgical instructions online without multiple phone calls or surprise estimates.
“When care is confusing or unaffordable, people wait,” said Dr. Patriquin. “The longer they wait, the worse the problem can become. Our goal is to make it easier for pet owners to say yes to the care their animals need.”
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit Flagstaff is located at 3502 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. For more information or to book an appointment, visit drkellysvet.com.
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