Help Promote Your Veterinary Clinic During National Pet Preparedness Month
June is National Pet Preparedness Month, designed to raise awareness about and help people prepare to care for their pets during emergencies. After all, pets usually get the short end of the stick when disasters like tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters occur. They can sometimes be left to fend for themselves. Pet preparedness stresses making a plan and gathering resources to keep pets healthy in these situations.
You can help your clients mark this important month by disseminating information through in-office posters, veterinary reminder cards and goodie bags that include your logo and some helpful pet supplies.
It's also a good idea to promote National Pet Preparedness Month on your website and social media outlets. You could even get involved by sponsoring a local event related to the occasion. Anything you can do to connect yourself to pet wellness activities like this will improve your image and help you build relationships with current and future clients.
You can also provide the following information to help your clients prepare for emergencies:
- Identify your pet. Make sure your pet has a valid identification tag with your contact information. It's also a good idea to microchip your pet (you, as the veterinarian, can help with this service, and might even want to host a free or discounted day to perform this service). It's also a good idea to include on any identification tag information about your pet's medication needs or conditions.
- Plan an alternate location. Remember that, if you need to evacuate an area, you may be unable to take your pet. Plan for a place to take your pet - a friend or family member who lives outside your area, or even a pet shelter.
- Keep your pet close. If you are taking your pet with you or to an alternate location, keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times. Disasters can be chaotic for both humans and pets, and it's worse if you have to chase after your pet.
- Make a kit. Just as you keep flashlights and matches handy in case of a power outage, keep an emergency pet kit handy that includes a few days' worth of food, water, medication, copies of veterinary records, leashes, collars, pet carriers and anything else you will need to care for your pet. It's also a good idea to include a picture of you with your animal. You never know - you may need to identify your pet to pick them up from a shelter or veterinarian in an emergency.
- Consider pet insurance. Pet health insurance can help defray the costs of caring for pets if they're injured in a disaster. Consider purchasing a plan.
Positive Impressions has helped veterinary clinics build lasting relationships with their customers since 2008. We provide a range of products like reminder cards, supply bags, labels and stickers, calendars, postcards and more. Peruse our supplies online today, and feel free to contact us with any questions.
Sources:
https://www.vettechcolleges.com/blog/national-pet-preparedness-month
https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2019-06/preparing-pets-for-a-natural-disaster/