Veterinary clinics across the U.S. and Japan are facing unprecedented pressure as pet ownership climbs and staff shortages deepen. In response, a new digital assistant called Si (short for Smart Insight) has been launched by pet health platform PetsCare.com to help clinics manage client communication, intake, and follow-ups around the clock.
Designed to operate 24/7, Si serves as a virtual front-desk assistant that engages pet owners before and after visits. The system uses artificial intelligence to collect symptom information, guide users through uploading pet images for analysis, answer common health questions, and send medication or care reminders post-treatment. For clinics stretched thin, Si offers relief from repetitive communication tasks that typically drain staff time and resources.
According to recent market data, the U.S. veterinary sector is under strain from a growing care gap. A projected 15% shortage of veterinarians by 2030 could leave tens of millions of pets without timely access to care. Administrative burden plays a major role: front-desk staff may field over 600 calls a week in busy practices, many related to routine or after-hours questions that don’t require in-person care.
Si is built to help address these inefficiencies. Before an appointment, it collects key health details and photos from pet parents, helping clinics prepare in advance. After a visit, it delivers follow-up instructions and checks in with owners about recovery — all automatically. If pet owners have questions about symptoms or instructions, Si can respond with pre-vetted information or escalate urgent issues to clinic staff.
PetsCareCom Inc., the company behind the technology, says the assistant is currently live in the U.S., Japan, and the UK, with plans to expand into six more markets. The company’s proprietary engine has been trained on over 28,000 clinical data points and processes millions of image-based symptom assessments. This foundation supports the system’s visual triage capabilities — enabling pet parents to upload a photo of, for example, an ear rash or eye redness, and receive an instant AI-based review with suggested next steps.
“Veterinarians are irreplaceable,” said a PetsCare.com spokesperson, “but technology can ease their day-to-day workload and help improve service during nights, weekends, and peak call times.”
Demand for such tools is rising alongside pet spending. Over 66% of U.S. households now own pets — approximately 87 million homes — and Americans are projected to spend over $261 billion on pet care annually by 2030, up from $147 billion in 2023. In Japan, the pet healthcare market is expected to grow to $4.7 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group, driven by trends in pet humanization and specialized care.
Si also aligns with a broader adoption trend: more than 40% of pet owners already prefer digital platforms for booking and communication, with 68% favoring online appointment scheduling. The global AI animal health market is forecast to grow at 20.1% CAGR through 2028, reflecting increasing comfort with digital-first care models.
PetsCare.com offers Si under a dual subscription model. Clinics can deploy the tool on their website or patient portal, allowing clients to chat, upload files, or receive follow-up notifications. Clinics retain full control of care decisions while letting Si handle repetitive but necessary client communication tasks. The company reports that participating clinics see reduced call volume and increased client satisfaction.
With veterinary burnout costing the industry over $2 billion annually in the U.S. alone, tools like Si represent a timely innovation. As the company scales the service across more clinics and countries, Si could become a new standard in pet healthcare — making care more accessible for pet owners and more manageable for the people who serve them.
About PetsCare.com
PetsCare.com is a global veterinary technology platform offering intelligent tools for pet owners and clinics. The company provides synthetic intelligence services for symptom analysis, virtual triage, and clinic integration, supporting its mission to make quality pet healthcare more efficient and accessible worldwide.
Sources:
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AVMA, U.S. Veterinary Shortage Projections, 2023
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Merck Animal Health, Veterinary Wellbeing Study, 2023
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APPA, U.S. Pet Industry Spending Report, 2023
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IMARC Group, Japan Veterinary Healthcare Market Forecast, 2024
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Grand View Research, AI in Animal Health Market Size & Growth, 2024
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Banfield Pet Hospital, Veterinary Industry Call Volume & Trends, 2023
PetsCareCom Inc., 166 Geary St, STE 1500 #1981, San Francisco, CA 94108 US, info@petscare_com, www.PetsCare.com
Disclaimer: Si by PetsCareCom Inc. is not a medical device and does not provide diagnoses or treatment. It is a smart communication assistant designed to collect information, support clinic workflows, and offer evidence-based insights. All clinical decisions remain the sole responsibility of licensed veterinary professionals.