Business Details
19 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Partner in Veterinary Care & Leadership
Vets Pets was founded in 2007 by Frank Batten, DVM, and Steve Thomas with a vision to create a cooperative network of veterinary hospitals prioritizing people, pets, and innovation. Our organization operates over 30 locations across North Carolina, including emergency, primary care, spay/neuter, and specialty hospitals, as well as pet resorts. We foster a culture of professional growth, leadership development, and ownership opportunities for veterinarians, emphasizing hands-on management and community engagement. Our team-driven approach supports continuous education, cutting-edge technology, and tailored resources to meet the evolving needs of veterinary professionals. With a focus on long-term investment in people and facilities, we empower our partners to deliver exceptional medical care while maintaining work-life balance.Our leadership team combines decades of veterinary and business expertise to guide strategic growth and operational excellence. Through initiatives like free continuing education webinars and internal pharmacy services, we address industry challenges while maintaining a family-like corporate culture. Our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and innovation has resulted in lower DVM turnover rates compared to national averages. By unifying emergency hospitals under the Points East Veterinary Group and expanding specialty services, we strengthen regional veterinary care infrastructure. As a privately-owned cooperative, we remain dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine through education, technology, and unwavering support for our teams and the communities we serve.
Services
Emergency Care
Spay/Neuter Services
Specialty Medicine
Veterinary Partnerships
Continuing Education
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer partnership opportunities for veterinary ownership with comprehensive operational support
- Our network includes 30+ North Carolina locations with diverse practice types
- We maintain 24/7 emergency veterinary services across multiple facilities
- Our leadership team includes board-certified veterinary specialists and industry veterans
- We provide free continuing education webinars for veterinary professionals
What people say
Exceptional support network
Professional development focus
Collaborative environment
Work-life balance support
Innovative practice management
Services
Emergency Care
Our 24/7 emergency hospitals provide critical care for pets across North Carolina. Services include trauma treatment, surgical interventions, and critical monitoring. Our emergency teams collaborate with specialists and primary care veterinarians to ensure comprehensive treatment plans for acute conditions.
Spay/Neuter Services
High-quality spay/neuter programs help manage pet populations while maintaining animal health. Our clinics use advanced surgical techniques and pain management protocols. These services support community wellness initiatives and preventive healthcare education for pet owners.
Specialty Medicine
Our specialty hospitals offer board-certified expertise in oncology, cardiology, internal medicine, and surgery. We utilize diagnostic imaging, advanced treatment protocols, and multidisciplinary approaches for complex cases. This level of care reduces the need for pet owners to travel long distances for specialized veterinary treatment.
Veterinary Partnerships
We support veterinarians pursuing ownership through flexible partnership models. Our resources include financial planning, operational guidance, and transition management. This program helps maintain local practice identity while providing access to corporate resources and expertise.
Continuing Education
Monthly webinars cover clinical advancements and practice management topics. Our programs address regulatory compliance, medical innovations, and professional wellness. These educational opportunities help veterinary teams stay current with industry standards and best practices.
People
Frank Batten
Owner
Co-founder of Vets Pets in 2007, Dr. Batten established multiple veterinary hospitals including Nash County Animal Hospital and ECVETS. With decades of clinical and leadership experience, he continues guiding strategic development while maintaining active medical oversight.
Steve Thomas
President & CEO
Co-founder and CEO with financial industry experience from Bank of America Securities and Aon Plc. He leads strategic growth initiatives while maintaining the company's entrepreneurial spirit. Holds degrees from University of Georgia and Wake Forest University.
Paige Harrington
Vice President of Medical Leadership
Veterinary leader with extensive emergency medicine experience. Oversees medical strategy since 2014, combining clinical expertise with leadership development. Graduated from NCSU-CVM and previously directed emergency operations at multiple specialty hospitals.
Shannon Bass
Vice President of Medical Leadership
Veterinary specialist in leadership and communication. Focuses on practice development and team training. Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist with experience in emergency medicine and organizational leadership. Active in state veterinary associations.
George Ghneim
Vice President of Medical Leadership
Veterinary epidemiologist and hospital director with expertise in infectious diseases. Transformed Wake Veterinary Hospital into a 24-hour specialty facility. Holds a PhD in Ecology and previously worked at RTI International and Care First Animal Hospitals.
Questions
What veterinary services does Vets Pets offer?
We provide emergency care, primary care, specialty medicine, spay/neuter services, and pet resort facilities across North Carolina.
Do you offer continuing education for veterinary professionals?
Yes, we host free monthly CE webinars for veterinarians and technicians covering clinical and practice management topics.
Can veterinarians partner with Vets Pets for practice ownership?
We offer partnership opportunities for veterinary ownership with flexible transition options and comprehensive operational support.
Are there 24-hour emergency services available?
Yes, we operate multiple 24/7 emergency hospitals including Points East Veterinary Emergency locations in Greenville and Fayetteville.
What career opportunities exist at Vets Pets?
We offer positions across our 30+ locations including clinical roles, leadership development programs, and corporate support positions.
How does Vets Pets support veterinary teams?
We provide HR support, marketing resources, facility investments, and professional development programs to help veterinary teams thrive.
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