Meet member clinic Bitxus Clínica Veterinaria in Spain: “Independent but not alone”

Outside Tarragona, in the Catalonian town of Reus, Bitxus Clínica Veterinaria has been caring for pets since 2010. We spoke with Marta Castillejo, one of the clinic’s founders, about her journey as a veterinarian and business owner — and how joining VetFamily helped her and her team navigate a rapidly changing veterinary landscape.

Can you tell us a bit about your clinic and how you came across VetFamily?

We opened our clinic in 2010 and have always been very focused on the work — on caring for animals. We’re vets, not businesspeople. That means we didn’t always look at the numbers closely. If we had money to buy something, we bought it. We didn’t think about how many procedures we’d need to pay it off.

We met a VetFamily representative at a veterinary congress. And when he told us about VetFamily it sounded interesting — especially because here in Spain, things have become a bit of a jungle with all the new groups entering the market. We felt like we needed support to stay independent, but not alone.

What convinced you to join?

We understood that VetFamily could help us get a better understanding of our financial situation. That really stood out. No one had ever offered that kind of help before — someone who could explain not just whether we could afford something, but how to make sure it made sense financially.

That was the first big reason. The second was support with the team. We’re a small group— three vets and a few technicians and support staff — and I don’t have a background in team management. But VetFamily offered resources and discussions with others in the same situation, and that made a big difference.

What kind of support do you receive around team management?

The most obvious benefit one would think of is probably VetFamily’s broad partner portfolio which gives us access to better deals and savings, something that can make a big difference for a small clinic. But I would like to highlight another aspect.

Through VetFamily, we are part of a group that meets regularly — not just for financial advice but also to talk about leadership and team issues. We share experiences, offer each other advice, and get new perspectives. It’s not just practical help — it’s also psychological support.

Knowing that someone else is facing the same challenges helps you feel less isolated. It’s a reminder that you’re not doing as badly as you might sometimes think. For me, that’s one of the most valuable parts.

Have you seen any tangible changes since joining?

Absolutely. We understand our finances much better now — what’s profitable, what isn’t, where we should focus our efforts. We’ve also improved our internal processes and campaigns, like vaccination drives, with support from VetFamily.

It’s also changed how we work with our team. We’ve been able to apply advice and strategies shared by others in the network.

Looking back after two years as a member — what would you say to other clinics considering joining VetFamily?

We’re very happy. You don’t need them every day, but the day you need them, they’re there. It’s like having a safety net. And in this industry, especially if you’re independent, that’s incredibly reassuring.