Vet Finder Participation Information

The benefits of exposure on the World Wide Web without the expense!

Thank you for your interest in the APA's Vet Finder referral service. This APA service is not only designed to attract new clients to your facility but to service your existing clients as well. We have made all of the benefits of having a professional, customized presence on the World Wide Web possible for any veterinary facility. If you have not visited Vet Finder or a Sample page please do so now.

Only the American Pet Association offers "Vet Finder", the nation's largest online Internet Veterinary Referral service! In the tradition of all APA programs, this is not a biased program that only refers participating vets, but lists over 27,000 veterinarians nationally. All vets are listed by name, address and phone number, but those who choose to can be listed in blue and have a full custom web page attached to their name.

People are very discouraged by referral services that list only paying participants. They often only offer one, or no referrals in a given area, making the service basically useless. Because "Vet Finder" will not be biased, pet owners will be able to rely on us and be more apt to use this service. However, given the choice between visiting a facility they know nothing about, or one that they have read a full description about, complete with photos/logos, pet owners will naturally choose the later.

In addition, every visitor to "Vet Finder" must fill out a feedback form and is later sent a questionnaire about the facility they ultimately visited. This serves two purposes, to be sure facilities are properly represented and to allow facilities to receive feedback from new clients.

Currently, the APA is receiving over 1600 unsolicited visitors to our site each day! Our numbers are increasing every day.

Custom web page development and hosting can cost thousands of dollars. Our introductory price to have a custom Web page developed and hosted in "Vet Finder" is $75.00 set-up fee and only $14.50 per month.

For less than $15.00/month you receive:

• A custom Web page developed that includes 2 photos/logos, doctor information, affiliations, staff information, client services, directions to your facility, up to 300 words of your own message to new clients and 300 words to existing clients
• Referral in the APA's Vet Finder, the Internet's most visited and respected Veterinary Referral Service
• Your facilities own URL (web page address), to be used in your advertising and to keep your clients informed of services, products and specials (ie. www.apapets.com/myfacility.htm)
• Your web site hosted the first month for free
• Client feedback from new pet owners that visit your facility
• Free monthly text updates
• Free link to your e-mail address on your page
• A second page of text linked to your site

Your web site can be updated throughout the year and there are unlimited, low cost custom options.

The attached application is designed to provide us with vital information, most of which will be transferred to your site. Go here for information about the approval process. The following are ideas that will help to make the site even more valuable to new clients as well as existing clients.

A Few Great Ideas for a Great Site:

Photos: You may have up to two photos or logos on your site at no additional charge. Make sure that the photos are very good quality. Try not to use photos taken from long distances.

Additional photos or logos: These can spice up a site especially if you have special facilities, equipment or staff that you would like to show. Additional graphics are only $10 each, per year.

Two 300 Word Description Sections: This is your opportunity to sell your facility to new clients and address your existing clients. Make the description clear and friendly. If existing clients will visit the site consider 2 paragraphs, one for them (list specials, reminders, etc..) and one for new clients. Be sure to include directions and landmarks. Remember, a longer description is not necessarily better.

Use Your Web Page Address: A Web Page address is a sign of distinction. Use it in all forms of advertising. Consider having cards printed with the address so existing clients can go see your site.

Monthly updates: If you will use your site for existing clients, consider updating the site regularly. This will keep the clients coming back over and over and build devotion to your facility.

Your site can be customized if you have special needs. Call Web Development at 800-APA-PETS ext. 152.

A summary of all possible charges;

No hidden charges! We have been asked over and over what the catch is. If you know the APA, you know there is no catch; if not, we can assure you now.

Web Design and Hosting - $75.00 initial web design - including 2 photo/logo scans, e-mail link, facility information (as described above) plus your message of up to 600 words, a second page of text; $14.50 per month hosting and maintenance.

Additional Photos or Logos - $10.00 each per year, $10.00 scan fee

Updates to Site - First data change per month; No Charge, $10.00 each additional; $5.00 photo/logo change, $10.00 scan/sizing fee

Custom Options - Feedback forms, search engines, additional pages, links, moving graphics (we can animate your graphic/logo!), java and more are all available, charges on a per job basis.

Please print this page then open our application page.