Socio-economic and financial characteristics of companion animal clinics in Ankara Province, Türkiye: A cluster-based classification

Companion animal clinics are an integral part of urban veterinary practice. Yet such clinics face several challenges, including rising operational costs, intense market competition, and shifting pet owners’ expectations. In contrast to previous studies focused on veterinary business models, little in-depth examination of determinants of clinic performance has been conducted to date. To address this gap, the current study evaluated the socio-economic and financial characteristics of companion animal clinics in Ankara Province, Türkiye, using Principal Component Analysis followed by k-means clustering. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the owners or managers of 35 companion animal clinics using a questionnaire comprising 44 indicators. Cluster 1 (10 clinics, 28.57%), which included multi-service clinics, had the highest costs ($8616.77) and income ($10671.77) due to service diversity and high investments in staff and equipment. Cluster 2 (8 clinics, 22.86%) included clinics characterized by moderate costs and stable income, oriented toward efficiency and targeted services. Cluster 3 (8 clinics, 22.86%) included cost-efficient clinics that mainly provided cat care and achieved the highest profitability of $5093.65. Cluster 4 (9 clinics, 25.71%) included clinics specializing in the care of exotic animals, with the lowest monthly income of $5023.83 and difficulties in achieving regular profitability. The results of our study revealed that the differences between clinic profiles are generally related to operating cost structures and strategies, income sources, and the variety of services provided to clients. Clinics that manage operational costs in line with income streams and adapt to client needs tend to perform better financially. In conclusion, veterinary professionals can use these insights to improve their strategies, optimize resource use, and improve financial performance.