Take a moment to pause and think about your community. Think about the small businesses that used to be a part of your daily routine. The Mom and Pop coffee shop around the corner, the beauty salon down the road, the bakery with your favorite bread and pastries, the restaurant where your family has “the usual” booth, and the little shops that are your go-to’s for gifts and flowers. The hard-hitting reality of this pandemic and the shutdown is that many businesses are hurting, especially these small businesses that may not have the financial means to stay afloat. If you want these businesses to be available options in the future, they need your support now. This includes your locally-owned veterinary clinic with the team that you trust with your pet’s health and wellness. Pet owners, here are seven ways you can support your locally-owned veterinary clinic right now so that they can continue to provide the best quality care for your pet:
1. Write a Review
Write a positive online review for your locally-owned veterinary clinic. If you are unsure where to go to leave your review, email the clinic and ask! They will most likely send you the direct links. Otherwise, most clinics are on Google and Facebook.
2. Post a Shout-Out from Your Pet
Take a photo of your pet with a sign that says, “I miss my healthcare team at *insert clinic’s name*!” Post the photo on your own social media and be sure to tag your locally-owned veterinary clinic.
3. Show Some Social Media Love
Do you follow your locally-owned veterinary clinic on social media? If not- now is the time to start following their pages! Then we encourage you to like, comment, and share your veterinary clinic’s posts. If you think a relative or friend would be interested in reading a post or blog, be sure to tag that friend or send them the link!
4. Purchase Pet Supplies Through the Clinic
Purchase your pet’s medications, preventatives, food, and similar supplies through your family veterinarian. Many locally-owned veterinary clinics have online stores and offer home delivery, as well as curbside pick-up. Check with your veterinary clinic’s website before going to a big-box retailer for pet supplies.
5. Continue to Use for Veterinary Care
When your pet needs veterinary care, use your locally-owned veterinary clinic’s telemedicine or emergency and urgent curbside services. Learn more about veterinary care during the pandemic here.
6. Set Up Future Appointments (But Pay Now If You’re Able)
Book your pet’s wellness exam and dental cleaning with your locally-owned veterinary clinic for this summer or later this year. If your veterinarian offers gift certificates or will put a credit on your account, you can ask to pay now when they need the revenue the most.
7. Be Patient and Understanding with the Staff
During this difficult time, please be patient and understanding with the veterinary team. They are risking their health to continue to care for your pets. They have had to change many of their protocols and adapt to the current situation. Curbside service is a completely new experience for them, and they are doing what they can to provide you with the best customer service while limiting health risks and respecting social distancing. Also, the clinic may be experiencing an increased volume of phone calls and emails. They will get to you as soon as possible.
We encourage you to take a moment and fulfill at least three of these seven ways to show your support for your locally-owned veterinary clinic. We also encourage you to find similar ways to support your other favorite small businesses. These are very difficult and uncertain times, which is why these businesses need their loyal customers and clients now more than ever.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to use your locally-owned veterinary clinic’s curbside services, look at their website or call the clinic beforehand to learn about their new protocols and what to expect.
