As of July 17, 2023; we will no longer be processing online prescription requests from outside pharmacies. This includes all requests for prescription medications, flea and tick prevention, and prescription food filled by outside retailers. We know this may feel like an abrupt shift, we are confident these changes will ensure that we can maintain the high quality and care standards your kitty deserves.
Thank you for choosing Just Cats Veterinary Clinic. Our commitment to your pet's well-being remains steadfast, and we are continuously striving to enhance our services to meet your expectations. We apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause and we genuinely appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you for your continued trust in us as your preferred cat care provider.
Q&A
Q: Why is Just Cats changing their prescribing policies?
A: Many internet retail pharmacies are not authorized resellers of the pharmaceuticals they dispense. Some of these businesses obtain products by purchasing them from third party companies who acquire the products from authorized channels, then divert them in unauthorized ways. Due to the extended shipping and reshipping these practices entail, some of the products may be damaged by environmental extremes that they are exposed to and may be expired. Just Cats is unable to ensure the safety and quality of the products being dispensed by outside retail pharmacies.
Q: Which pharmacies will fill my cat’s prescription?
A: You may continue to fill prescriptions at any retail pharmacy you choose. If you choose to purchase prescription food or medications through the any of the following preferred retailers, Just Cats will provide your cat’s prescription directly to the retailer:
Covetrus
Hill’s to Home
Purina Vet Direct
Fallon’s
Wedgewood
Menges and Curtis
Q: What if I want to use a different pharmacy?
A: You may continue to fill prescriptions at any retail pharmacy you choose. If you choose to purchase prescription food or medications through any of the following outside retailers, you will be required to pick up a handwritten prescription from Just Cats. It will be your responsibility to upload the paper prescription through the outside retailer’s portal. If you experience any difficulties, please reach out to the pharmacy that you are choosing to use and they can help you upload your written prescription. Please note, we are unable to fax prescriptions to our clients. If you choose to use an outside pharmacy, you must come to our office to pick it up.
Examples of outside retailers include:
Chewy.com
1800PetMeds
Amazon
Walmart PetRX
Costco
PetMedExpress
Q: Do Just Cats’ preferred retailers have competitive pricing?
A: We understand and empathize with the desire to find products as cost-effectively as possible. By purchasing directly from the vendor on our approved online stores, we know that you are always getting a great product, and our preferred retail stores offer guarantees on all of their diets and medications. Just Cats has a partnership with our preferred retailers to ensure access to quality prescriptions. Going through our preferred retailers not only means you’re getting the best product possible, it also means you are supporting a small, local, privately-owned business and giving back to your local economy. Many online retailers such as Chewy are large corporations that have caused disruptions in the local veterinary community and have made it challenging for small, privately owned veterinary offices to compete and stay open in this economy.
We at Just Cats are part of your community, your neighbors, and are here to help you when your pet needs our care. Our pharmacy department is an integral part of our hospital, and the income derived from it helps to offset part of our overhead expenditures. We use pharmacy income to pay staff salaries, utilities, and other expenses related to operating the practice. Loss of pharmacy income affects the financial health of the practice and will adversely affect our ability to provide other aspects of cat health care economically.
Q: What about my cat’s current prescriptions?
A: These changes will not affect previously approved diets or medications with current prescriptions on file at outside retailers. If you’ve previously used an outside internet pharmacy, the prescription on the internet pharmacy will expire when your cat is due for their next exam. When you come in for your cat’s annual visit, you can choose to either take home a hand written prescription for you to upload on your own, or we would be happy to help you register through one of our preferred online retailers.
Q: My cat needs prescription food. Will they have to have another exam in order to get a new prescription?
A: In New York State it is unlawful for a veterinarian to write a prescription or to dispense a prescription drug without a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). To maintain a VCPR, New York requires an examination within one year by a veterinarian. This means we are unable to approve any requests for medications or prescription diets without your cat being seen by us within one year. If you’ve previously used an outside internet pharmacy, the prescription on the internet pharmacy will expire when your cat is due for their next exam.
Q: Who can I contact to get more information?
A: If you have any questions, concerns, or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our customer support team at info@justcatsvet.com or 518-869-5779. We are here to help and ensure a seamless transition.