How Animal Samaritans Hit a 97.65% Cherry Approval Rate for Pet Owners

The Story

Animal Samaritans is a nonprofit veterinary organization serving the Coachella Valley since 1978, dedicated to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them. With veterinary clinics in ThousandPalms and Indio, our team provides a wide range of services including wellness care, high volume high quality & neutering, diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, urgent care, and specialty services such as internal medicine, cardiology, and oncology. In addition to full-service veterinary care, Animal Samaritans operates a no-kill shelter and community programs focused on adoption, humane education, and affordable access to veterinary services. Our veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, and support staff work collaboratively in a high-volume environment to deliver compassionate, high-quality care while serving a diverse community of pet owners throughout the Coachella Valley.

The Goal

When we brought Cherry on board, our primary goals were:

1. To improve client compliance with recommended diagnostics and treatments by providing a flexible payment solution.
2. Reduce the financial pressure of having to pay a large bill all at once and instead offer clients the ability to break costs into manageable payments.
3. By doing so, our goal was to help more clients move forward with necessary diagnostics and treatment plans, ultimately allowing us to provide better medical care and outcomes for our patients.

The Cherry Solution

• Cherry provided our clients with a simple and accessible payment option that allowed them to split the cost of their pet care into manageable monthly payments.
• The application process is quick and easy, allowing clients to receive an approval decision before ever walking through the clinic doors. This streamlined process allows our team to present treatment plans with confidence, knowing that clients have a financing option available if needed.
• By offering flexible payment plans, Cherry helps remove some of the financial barriers that can delay or prevent care, enabling more clients to move forward with recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments for their pets.

Results

• Improved treatment compliance: Cherry has helped remove the barrier of large upfront costs, allowing more clients to move forward with recommended diagnostics and treatments for their pets.
• Flexible payment options for clients: Clients are able to choose payment plans that fit their financial situation, reducing stress and helping them make decisions based on their pet’s medical needs rather than immediate cost.
• High approval rate: Our clinic has seen a 97.65% approval rate, allowing the vast majority of clients who apply to access financing.
• Higher-value treatment acceptance: With an average transaction amount of over $830, clients are more able to proceed with comprehensive treatment plans rather than delaying or declining care.
• Strong monthly utilization: In a single month, Cherry facilitated over $17,000 in financed care across 26 client contracts, demonstrating consistent use and meaningful financial support for our clients.