The fast rise in cat and canine possession through the COVID pandemic*, mixed with a vet recruitment disaster, has sparked fears of a ‘therapy timebomb’, as reported by ITV News**.
Ross Hallifax, Affinity Director for Purely Pets, the 5-star Defaqto-rated UK pet insurance coverage specialist, is worried to listen to of the difficulties being encountered by some pet homeowners in making an appointment to talk with their vet observe.
“Often an proprietor will attain for the cellphone to hunt peace of thoughts. There’s nothing extra worrying than seeing your pet show signs of discomfort or ache. I perceive that first-hand, having fairly a menagerie of household pets myself.
“Purely Pets will help by offering a complementary 24-hour vet helpline to all our policyholders, which affords recommendation and steering. If a buyer has a query or concern, they will communicate to a certified veterinary nurse at any time of the day or evening, three hundred and sixty five days of the yr – both by cellphone, or by way of the web chat facility. If needed, the nurse can provoke a video name, too, to evaluate the pet extra intently. This is extremely reassuring for our prospects, and takes the pressure off vet practices if the worry may be resolved just by a dialog.”
2020 noticed a 285% enhance in calls to the Purely Pets vet helpline on 2019. In 2021 the corporate is forecasting an extra 62% utilization enhance on 2020. The commonest causes for involved homeowners to make a name have been vomiting, diarrhoea, swelling/lumps, lameness, pores and skin issues and poisoning.
Ross continued, “These year-on-year name will increase comply with the development we’re listening to about. However, our vet helpline is nationwide and helps all Purely Pets prospects, with 90% of calls answered inside 30 seconds.”
*Following knowledge launched from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, 3.2m UK households have acquired a pet for the reason that begin of the pandemic.
**Wednesday 25th August 2021.