Vetco is straightforward once you understand the two-clinic model and the package fine print. These answers cover the questions that trip up first-time visitors most often.

• 1 Does Vetco charge an exam fee? Vetco Vaccination Clinics charge no exam fee at all — you pay only for the specific vaccines and services your pet receives. This is the core reason Vetco costs so much less than a private vet. At a traditional practice, you typically pay $60–$100 just to walk in the door before any vaccine is given. Vetco Total Care hospitals (the full-service version) do charge a wellness exam fee of $50–$75. Know which type of location you’re visiting before you go.
• 2 What is the difference between Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care? They are two completely different services that happen to operate under the Vetco/Petco umbrella. Vaccination Clinics are express, preventive-care-only stations focused on vaccines, microchipping, basic testing, and parasite prevention — no exam fee, no illness treatment, no surgery. Vetco Total Care hospitals are full-service permanent animal hospitals inside larger Petco locations that offer comprehensive care including wellness exams, dental cleanings, surgery, and same-day sick visits — with exam fees that apply.
• 3 Do prices vary by location? Yes — East Coast and West Coast locations have different price structures, and individual cities can vary further. The prices in this guide reflect approximate national averages based on publicly available Vetco pricing data. For example, microchipping runs $36 in Detroit and Portland but $40 in Virginia and Maryland. Always use the zip code tool at vetcoclinics.com to see exact current pricing for your specific clinic before booking.
• 4 Are there hidden fees I won’t see until checkout? One fee catches many people off guard: the Materials and Disposal Fee. This biohazardous waste disposal charge of approximately $2.50–$5 is added to every service and is rarely highlighted in advance. It applies per visit, not per vaccine, so a visit with multiple services won’t see it multiplied. If you want the exact total before showing up, ask specifically about this fee when you call or confirm your appointment.
• 5 Are the vaccines at Vetco the same quality as at a private vet? Yes — Vetco uses the same USDA-approved vaccines from the same major pharmaceutical manufacturers (Merck, Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim) that traditional veterinary practices use. The cost savings come from the operational model — high volume, no exam overhead, no full diagnostic equipment — not from the vaccines themselves. Lower price does not mean a different product.
• 6 What is the package redemption window, and why does it matter? Vetco packages are valid for four months from the date of purchase. For puppies and kittens needing a series of boosters spaced 3–4 weeks apart, this window is generous enough to cover the full series at a lower bundled price. However, if your pet’s booster schedule extends beyond four months, you’ll pay out-of-pocket for additional vaccines at the full individual price. Vetco’s policy explicitly states no refunds, substitutions, or additional discounts on packages once purchased — know exactly what’s included before you buy.
• 7 Can Vetco treat my sick pet? No — Vetco Vaccination Clinics are strictly for preventive care. If your pet shows signs of illness — lethargy, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, visible parasites, or skin issues — the Vetco veterinarian may decline to vaccinate and refer you to a full-service vet first. Vaccinating a sick animal can worsen their condition or render the vaccine less effective. For illness, injury, or emergencies, you need a full-service clinic or emergency hospital — not a Vetco Vaccination Clinic.

These are individual à-la-carte prices for dogs at Vetco Vaccination Clinics. All prices are approximate national averages — your local clinic may differ slightly. The Materials and Disposal Fee (~$2.50–$5) is added per visit on top of these prices.

Individual prices for cats and kittens at Vetco Vaccination Clinics. The same Materials and Disposal Fee applies per visit. Cats must be current on rabies vaccination — many states require it by law, and boarding/grooming facilities almost universally require it.

Packages bundle multiple vaccines and services at a lower total cost than buying each item separately. They’re designed for specific life stages — puppy series, adult annual protection, and outdoor/adventure coverage. Read the fine print before you purchase.

Vetco Total Care hospitals are a separate, more comprehensive service located in select Petco stores. They offer everything a traditional vet clinic does — including an exam fee. If your pet is sick, injured, or needs dental work or surgery, this is where you go, not a Vaccination Clinic.

*Free new client exam is a promotional offer — verify availability at your local Vetco Total Care location. Exam fees apply for additional services, diagnostic testing, medications, and medical waste disposal. Offer limit one per household.