Direct Mail Tips for Veterinary Practices (With Real Examples!)

Veterinary practices face a unique challenge: standing out in a competitive market while building trust with pet owners. 

Direct mail is a powerful tool that allows veterinary clinics to cut through the noise and establish a direct connection with local pet owners. 

With 70% of U.S. households now owning a pet — up from 67% in 2019 — the pet care industry is thriving. Pet spending has skyrocketed to over $136 billion annually as more owners prioritize their pets’ health and well-being. 

However, despite this growth, nearly 30% of pet owners don’t regularly bring their pets to a veterinarian. Many pet owners mistakenly believe their pets are fine and don’t see the need for preventive care — leaving a huge opportunity for veterinary clinics to educate, engage, and convert these pet owners into long-term clients.

Direct mail allows veterinary clinics to reach these pet owners directly, providing them with valuable information, special offers, and a clear call to action. 

In this article, we’ll explore how veterinary practices can leverage direct mail to grow their customer base, increase appointments, and strengthen client relationships. 

We’ll cover:

✅ The benefits of direct mail for veterinary clinics
✅ Why EDDM® (Every Door Direct Mail) is ideal for vets
✅ Tips for creating a successful veterinary direct mail campaign
✅ Real examples of veterinary postcards from Taradel clients
✅ A case study showing how PetIQ acquired 90 new customers with direct mail
✅ Free, customizable EDDM® templates for veterinary clinics

The Benefits of Direct Mail for Vets

Direct mail is particularly effective for veterinary practices because it allows clinics to reach local pet owners directly and promote services in a highly targeted way. 

Here’s why it works:

• Highly Targeted: EDDM® allows you to target specific neighborhoods where pet owners are likely to live, ensuring your message reaches the right audience.
• Tangibility: Physical mail stands out more than digital ads, helping your practice stay top of mind with pet owners.
• Trust Factor: Receiving a personalized postcard from a local veterinary clinic builds credibility and increases the likelihood of engagement. In fact, 76% of consumers trust direct mail more than other forms of advertising.
• Higher Engagement Rates: 90% of direct mail is opened, compared to just 20–30% of emails. Your message gets seen and remembered.
• Longer Shelf Life: Unlike digital ads that vanish in seconds, direct mail has staying power. A well-designed postcard or flyer often gets pinned to the refrigerator, tucked into a drawer, or shared among family members — creating multiple touch points over time. When their pet gets sick, they’ll remember exactly who to call.
• Measurable Results: With QR codes and special offers, you can track how many new clients respond to your mailers and adjust future campaigns accordingly.

Why EDDM® (Every Door Direct Mail) is Ideal for Vets

EDDM® (Every Door Direct Mail) is a direct mail solution that allows veterinary practices to reach every household in a targeted zip code or neighborhood — no mailing list required. It’s simple, cost-effective, and highly effective.

Why Vets Love EDDM:

• No mailing list needed – Target pet owners in specific areas without the hassle of building a list.
• Lower postage rates – EDDM® rates are more affordable than standard postage, helping you save on marketing costs.
• Easy to launch – Taradel’s platform makes it quick and easy to design, print, and distribute postcards in just a few clicks.
• Maximum local reach – Connect with every pet owner in your service area to drive new patient visits and increase awareness of your practice.

Tips for Creating a Successful Veterinary Direct Mail Campaign

Here are some best practices to help your veterinary direct mail campaign succeed:

• Design for Impact: Use eye-catching colors and high-quality images of happy pets and satisfied pet owners.
• Highlight Your Services: Include key services such as wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and emergency care.
• Add a Strong Call to Action: Encourage recipients to book an appointment, call your clinic, or visit your website.
• Use QR Codes: Add a QR code that leads to an appointment booking page or promotional offer.
• Include a Special Offer: A limited-time discount or free consultation can increase response rates and attract new customers.
• Stay Consistent: Keep your branding, messaging, and tone consistent across all channels (mail, website, and social media).

Featured Veterinary Postcards

Here are 7 examples of successful veterinary direct mail postcards designed by Taradel’s expert team. 

These postcards highlight effective design, strong calls to action, and high engagement rates.

Trident Vet Hospital

Valuable offers (25% off dental work and a free wellness exam) are highlighted with a professional and approachable design. Clear service details, high-quality images, and easy contact options (phone, website, QR code) drive engagement.

Phinney Veterinary

An inviting, friendly tone and a strong offer (free first month of wellness plans) create a strong incentive for engagement. The modern design, heart-shaped QR code, and clear plan benefits make it easy for pet owners to act.

Overland Park Veterinary Emergency

Trust is built by emphasizing 24/7 availability for emergencies. A clear list of services, experienced staff, and easy contact options encourage quick action.

Fantasia Pet Resort

Leveraging its 40-year legacy, this postcard offers a 25% discount on spay/neuter and dental services to drive engagement. A clean design, heartwarming pet imagery, and strong calls to action (QR code, phone, website) make it easy for pet owners to respond.

Borchard Veterinary Clinic

A compelling dental cleaning special paired with transparent pricing and detailed services helps establish trust. A professional design and clear calls to action (phone, website) make it easy to engage.

Fullerton Regional Veterinary Hospital

Comprehensive care for both common and exotic pets sets this postcard apart. The inviting headline “All Wet Noses Welcome,” a 50% off first exam offer, and clear contact info create a strong call to action.

Vet Case Study: How PetIQ Welcomed 90 New Customers with Taradel’s Marketing Platform

Overview

PetIQ, a Taradel client since 2013, is a leader in the pet health industry, offering accessible and affordable veterinary care to pet owners nationwide. Their services range from preventative care to a wide range of pet health and wellness products.

The Challenge

PetIQ faced the challenge of breaking through the competitive pet care market and attracting new customers to six key locations. Their goal was to create a unified, multichannel marketing strategy that would drive action and customer acquisition while reinforcing their brand message.

The Solution

PetIQ partnered with Taradel to create a comprehensive multichannel campaign that included:

• 86,922 EDDM® Postcards – Delivered to targeted neighborhoods across six locations.
• Google Display Ads – Over 1.4 million impressions across Google’s ad network.
• Targeted Emails – Nearly 100,000 emails sent to local pet owners.

The Results

• Brand Awareness: Over 1.64 million total impressions across all channels.
• High Engagement: 3,472 total interactions, including 500+ QR code scans.
• New Customers: Approximately 100 new prospects and 15 new customers per location – for a total of ~600 new prospects and 90 new customers.

“Taradel made navigating our direct mail campaign a breeze, offering invaluable guidance every step of the way. Thanks to their user-friendly website and expert advice, our campaign continues to yield new customer acquisitions even 10 months post-launch.”
— Matt Etherington, Associate Director of Marketing, PetIQ

Free EDDM® Templates for Vets

Take the hassle out of designing your veterinary practice’s next mailer with Taradel’s free, USPS-compliant, and fully customizable EDDM® templates. 

Each template is professionally designed and tailored for veterinary practices, allowing you to quickly create eye-catching postcards that drive action.

• Easy to Customize – Adjust colors, text, and images to reflect your clinic’s branding.
• Strategically Designed – Includes space for special offers, QR codes, and appointment details.
• Cost-Effective – Use with USPS’s EDDM® program for affordable, highly targeted marketing.

View all templates here. 

Conclusion

Direct mail is one of the most effective and affordable ways for veterinary clinics to reach local pet owners and grow their client base. By combining the targeting power of EDDM® with thoughtful design, strong calls to action, and strategic offers, veterinary practices can drive customer engagement and increase appointment bookings.

Want to get started? Try our free EDDM® templates today and start attracting more pet owners to your practice!