Honnas Veterinary Launches the 30-Day Better Pet Care Pledge
AUSTIN, Texas – August 26, 2026 – Honnas Veterinary has announced the 30-Day Better Pet Care Pledge, an awareness initiative built around a simple idea: better pet care can begin with small, consistent actions.
The pledge reflects principles that have shaped Honnas Veterinary since Dr. Cheri Honnas founded the Austin practice in 2023.
The original goal was “to provide excellent and accessible vet services from a welcoming clinic in the heart of Austin.”
Now, Honnas Veterinary is turning that philosophy into seven personal commitments designed to encourage greater awareness of routine care and the experience pets have before, during, and after veterinary visits.
“We believe in inclusivity and a high standard of vet care for all,” Honnas Veterinary says.
Why Veterinary Care Access Matters Right Now
Recent research shows why the issue deserves attention.
A 2025 PLOS One study of 751 U.S. residents found that 20% of pet owners reported difficulty accessing basic veterinary care, including annual examinations and vaccinations.
A separate 2025 national study surveyed 1,177 U.S. adults to examine how access to veterinary care can influence care-seeking decisions. The researchers noted that constrained access may affect the health and welfare of millions of pets.
The PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care study found an even broader gap. Fifty-two percent of U.S. pet owners said they had skipped or declined needed veterinary care during the previous year. That included 37% who declined at least one recommendation during a veterinary visit and 15% who did not visit because they encountered barriers.
Another 2025 report found that the average number of pets per surveyed household had declined from 2.2 to 2.0, with researchers identifying factors including changing lifestyles and financial constraints as possible contributors.
For Honnas Veterinary, accessibility is therefore more than an abstract industry discussion.
“Excellent and accessible vet care” has been part of the practice’s stated objective from the beginning.
The Seven Honnas Veterinary Pledge Commitments
The 30-Day Better Pet Care Pledge turns that idea into seven concrete personal behaviors.
1. I will keep my pet’s basic information organized.I will maintain one easy-to-find record with important health information, veterinary contacts, medications, and past appointments.
2. I will pay closer attention to changes.I will notice meaningful changes in my pet’s normal eating, drinking, movement, energy, or behavior and record concerns instead of relying on memory.
3. I will prepare before veterinary visits.I will write down questions and relevant observations before an appointment so important details are easier to discuss with the veterinary team.
4. I will take my pet’s stress seriously.I will notice what situations appear to make my pet fearful or uncomfortable and share those observations with veterinary professionals.
5. I will make carriers and travel more familiar.When appropriate, I will avoid treating the carrier or car as something that appears only immediately before a veterinary visit.
6. I will keep routine care visible on my calendar.I will maintain reminders for veterinary appointments and other routine pet-care responsibilities rather than waiting until they are forgotten.
7. I will share useful pet-care information responsibly.I will encourage other owners to develop organized, consistent habits while recognizing that individual health questions belong with qualified veterinary professionals.
The approach reflects Honnas Veterinary’s emphasis on “compassionate care and beautiful facilities,” but the pledge deliberately extends beyond the clinic.
Do It Yourself: 10 Free Actions for Pet Owners
No purchase or enrollment is required to begin the pledge. Individuals can start with these 10 actions:
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Create a one-page information sheet for each pet.
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Add your veterinarian’s contact information to your phone.
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Gather existing vaccination and health records into one folder.
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Write down the date of your pet’s most recent veterinary visit.
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Start a simple notes page for changes you observe.
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Make a list of questions before the next veterinary appointment.
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Identify situations that seem to make your pet stressed or fearful.
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Keep a list of current medications and other relevant information.
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Set calendar reminders for known pet-care dates.
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Share this toolkit with another pet owner.
These actions are organizational and awareness-based. They are not substitutes for professional veterinary care.
“We have grown significantly in just over two years,” Honnas Veterinary says.
The practice now includes five doctors and sees more than 1,500 patients each month. As it has grown, the original principle has remained straightforward: create a welcoming environment while maintaining “a high standard of vet care for all.”
Simple 30-Day Pet Care Progress Tracker
Participants can use four weekly checkpoints rather than trying to change everything at once.
Days 1–7: Organize. Gather records, contacts, appointment dates, and basic information.
Days 8–14: Observe. Pay closer attention to routines and write down notable questions or changes.
Days 15–21: Prepare. Review upcoming care needs, update reminders, and organize questions for future veterinary visits.
Days 22–30: Maintain. Review what worked, keep the useful habits, and share the pledge with another pet owner.
At the end of 30 days, participants can ask one simple question: Do I understand and organize my pet’s routine care better than I did one month ago?
Take the 30-Day Better Pet Care Pledge
Honnas Veterinary is inviting pet owners to take the seven commitments for 30 days and share the free toolkit with friends, neighbors, family members, and other pet owners.
The objective is not perfection. It is greater awareness and consistency.
For Honnas Veterinary, that connects directly to the idea that helped shape the practice in 2023: providing “excellent and accessible vet care” in a welcoming environment.
To read more, visit the website here.
About Honnas Veterinary
Honnas Veterinary is a female-owned and locally owned veterinary practice founded by Dr. Cheri Honnas in Austin, Texas, in 2023. The Fear Free certified staff practice has grown to five doctors and serves more than 1,500 patients each month. Honnas Veterinary focuses on compassionate, inclusive and accessible veterinary services from a state-of-the-art clinic in the heart of Austin. Learn more at http://honnasvet.com/.
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