National pet health care startup expands in Hillsborough, Sarasota counties

A national pet health care startup, Chicago-based GoodVets, is expanding in the area.

The company, which partners with entrepreneurial veterinarians, recently signed two 10-year leases: one in Lithia and another in north Sarasota County. 

The GoodVets Fish Hawk location in Lithia, a community in Hillsborough County, is expected to start construction soon with an opening planned at the end of 2023. It will be operated by Dr. Andrea Caspary, who also runs a recently opened Tampa animal hospital on South Dale Mabry Highway. 

GoodVets Lakewood Ranch, at 6564 University Parkway in Sarasota, is expected to open in spring 2024. The location is on the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties. 

“We look for growing communities with passionate pet owners that are traditionally underserved in high-quality, modern veterinary care,” a company spokesperson wrote in an email to the Business Observer. “We’ve had incredible success in Florida already—Miami, Tampa, and Palm Beach County—and strongly believe the active lifestyle and close companionship Floridians have alongside their pets demands exceptional pet medicine from their veterinary providers.” 

Hiring for each location has already begun, with the goal of hiring a team of 10-20 employees to fill roles like veterinarian, veterinary technician and additional support staff.