Referral partnerships with vets and groomers

By OnlyPaw Editorial · Published 2026-03-09 · 6 min read · Filed in Business

How to build formal and informal referral relationships with local vets and groomers as a pet-service provider, and what those referrals are actually worth.

Vet clinics and groomers see pet owners every week. They are asked, "do you know a good walker/sitter/boarder?" constantly. Being the name they mention is one of the highest-leverage marketing moves in pet services.

Here is how to earn that spot.

Why vets refer

Vets are not marketing your business out of kindness. They refer because:

• Their clients ask them for recommendations.
• A trusted referral makes them look thoughtful.
• They avoid picking a bad provider whose incident might blow back on them.

That last point is why vet referrals are earned slowly. A vet's reputation is on the line every time they mention your name.

The introduction

The introduction to a vet clinic is a 5-minute conversation with the practice manager, not the front desk.

Steps:

• Call the clinic and ask to speak to the practice manager.
• Introduce yourself briefly.
• Ask when you could stop by for a five-minute chat.
• Show up when you said you would.

What to bring:

• A one-page rate sheet with your services and area.
• A copy of your insurance certificate.
• A copy of any relevant certification.
• A small pack of business cards for the front desk.
• A written referral offer.

Do not bring baked goods. Vets appreciate professionalism more than treats.

The written referral offer

A one-page document that says:

• Your services and rates.
• Your service area with specific postcodes.
• Your insurance provider and cover.
• Any relevant certifications.
• How referrals work (walk-in card, direct phone number, no per-referral fee).
• What the vet gets: reliable pet care for their clients, one point of contact.

Keep it professional and factual. No effusive language.

Why per-referral fees usually backfire

Some providers offer vet clinics a per-referral fee. This rarely works well.

• Some vets consider it a professional conflict of interest.
• Some jurisdictions have professional rules against it (varies by country).
• The referrals that follow can be lower quality (vets referring anyone, not the right client).

A better structure: no per-referral fee, but a written commitment to responsiveness, insurance, and reliability. Vets refer high-margin clients when they trust the paper trail.

The two-week trial

Offer the vet a two-week no-commitment trial.

• They refer three clients at your standard rate.
• You deliver each flawlessly.
• You confirm with the practice manager after each referral.
• After two weeks, you have a conversation about ongoing referral flow.

Show up. Deliver. Confirm. Repeat.

Feedback loop

The strongest ongoing referral relationships include a feedback loop.

• Send a short update to the practice manager once a quarter.
• Mention specific clients (with permission).
• Report any medical observations that might matter (a dog that seemed off, a sitting client whose cat had appetite change).

Vets who see you as a professional partner refer more.

Groomer referral partnerships

Groomer referral partnerships work slightly differently.

• Groomers see behavioural quirks up close.
• They value providers who can handle nervous or reactive dogs.
• Walking and grooming complement each other cleanly.

Reciprocity is easier with groomers:

• You refer walking clients who need grooming.
• They refer grooming clients who need walking.

A written mutual referral arrangement (no fees) works well here.

Building relationships with rescues

Rescues are underused as a referral source.

• Adopters often need walker/sitter/boarder recommendations after adoption.
• Rescue staff are pet-services-aware and can vouch for quality.
• Volunteering at a rescue builds visibility over time.

Offer one Saturday a month to a local rescue. Six months of consistency turns rescue staff into ambassadors.

The one line that makes vets remember you

A short answer to "what makes you different?":

"I send photo updates every visit, I am insured through [insurer] with care-custody-control cover, and I respond to inquiries within 15 minutes during business hours."

Three specific facts. Vets remember specifics.

Cross-provider referrals

Fellow pet-service providers in adjacent zones are also a referral source.

• A walker in the next neighbourhood cannot serve your zone.
• A boarder who is full often refers overflow.
• A groomer who does not walk can send walking referrals.

Set up two or three peer-provider referral relationships in your first year.

Managing the vet-referred client

Vet-referred clients often come with two characteristics:

• Higher expectations. The vet vouched for you.
• Higher lifetime value. They tend to be established households.

Deliver 10 percent above your normal service level for the first three bookings from a vet referral. The vet will hear.

The written follow-up to the vet

Every 90 days, send the practice manager a short update:

"Just to let you know I have been referred four clients from your team in the last quarter. Two are now weekly regulars. Thank you for the trust."

Vets like knowing referrals are working out. Silence sometimes triggers a shift to another provider.

The platform's role in vet referrals

Verified profiles on established marketplaces are easier for vets to reference.

OnlyPaw is a pet-services marketplace covering walking, sitting, boarding, grooming, training, and pet taxi. Providers upload ID, selfie, and insurance certificates during 24-48 hour verification. Vets referring clients can point them to a specific provider profile, which is a cleaner referral than a business card. Payouts land Monday to bank transfer or PayPal, $50 minimum, 5 percent platform fee.

The realistic ramp

• Month 1: introduce yourself to two vets in your zone.
• Month 2: complete the two-week trial with each.
• Month 3: build the feedback loop.
• Month 6: expect 2-4 referrals a month from established vet partnerships.
• Year 2: vet referrals may become 20-30 percent of your new client acquisition.

Ready to earn on your own terms?

Vet and groomer referrals are the slowest-building and highest-quality client source. Set up your OnlyPaw provider profile at onlypaw.net/pages/signup-provider.html, introduce yourself to two vets in your zone this month, and get verified in 24 to 48 hours.

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