Today’s veterinary healthcare providers face a dilemma: how to get your clients to provide more and better care for their pets without making them think all you want is money. Here are some ways you can do just that (and a bonus: you’ll get more new clients, too!).

America is a nation of animal lovers. We provide homes for pets in numbers unrivaled by any other society on earth. And you, the veterinary healthcare provider, who have devoted your life to the well-being of animals, do what you do for the love of animals—not for the love of money.

Yet, as you know from your daily practice, many—if not most—pets are undertreated.

Maybe you’re reluctant to recommend additional treatment, for fear your clients will think you just want their money. The truth is, pet owners would spend more on pet care… if their vets told them what they needed to do…and if you could convince them that it’s their pets’ well-being you care about most.

The key? Vets who establish the best relationships with their clients will get the most business from existing clients…and the most new clients. And those relationships begin with communication.

The human-animal bond is extremely important in our society.

Most households in America have at least one pet, and these pets are cherished members of the family.

Consider these figures from the AAHA’s 2004 Pet Owner Survey of US and Canadian pet owners:

 94% think their pet has humanlike personality traits.

 93 % would risk their own life for their pet.

 87% include pets in their holiday celebrations.

 84% consider themselves Mom or Dad to the pet.

 82% think of their pets at least once a day when they’re away.

 80% said “companionship” is the major reason for having a pet.

 78% greet their pet at the door before they greet their spouse.

 72% say affection is their pet’s most endearing trait.

 67% of pet-containing households recognize pet birthdays.

 65% have sung or danced with their pet.

 62% sign letters or cards as being from their pets as well as themselves.

 57% would rather have a pet than a person with them if stranded on a deserted island.

 55% have an emergency preparedness plan that includes their pet.

 43% of pets (not including fish and snakes) share beds with their people.

 36% say their pet enjoys watching TV.

 33% talk to their pets on the phone or through the answering machine.

 25% say they brush their pet’s teeth.

 24% of dog owners sometimes dress their pets.

 18% have attended a birthday party for someone else’s pet.

Not only that…we are increasingly becoming a culture of animal lovers. American pets enjoy a better quality of life each year. Consider that:

 Spaying and neutering have reached an all-time high—82%, up from 75% just ten years ago.

 Those who provide daily exercise for their pet is now at 80%, up from only 68% in 1995.

 Dogs and cats have largely moved indoors, and 39% of pet owners say they have at least one piece of furniture reserved for their pet.

 Those who dress their pets is up from 21%, with most saying they do so to protect their pets from the weather…but also “for fun” on holidays.

 The concept of “no-kill” shelters—only recently considered unrealistic—is quickly gaining in popularity.

Yes…we love to love our pets.

But…you don’t want to take advantage of our love for our pets!

Understandably, with each care recommendation you make comes the implication that the client must spend money.

Emphasize that prevention is the best way to go. Remind pet owners they can help pets live longer, healthier, happier lives by bringing in their pets for regular physical exams, vaccinations, and dental care.

Some pet owners might consider euthanizing a pet because they’re not aware of the options available. You can put yourself on their team by suggesting ways they can save money—e.g., mail order drugs or generics; home care.

Don’t pre-judge clients’ willingness to comply…or ability to pay. Some hints…

 Start by assuming that pet owners want the best care for their pets.

 Keep educational materials and resources available; use them to reinforce recommendations you’ve made.

 Schedule the next appointment before the client leaves.

 Here’s a big opportunity to increase client satisfaction: make follow-up phone calls. Studies show that most pet owners want follow-up calls…but only a little over half get them!

 Remember: these are quality of care goals, not financial goals.

Pets are big business! Pets are the new status symbols; a well cared-for pet is a sign of achievement.

Many vets believe obesity is the greatest health issue facing America’s pets. Do you? Here’s a worthy challenge to overcome: people buy ordinary pet food because it’s cheaper…and it’s “good enough.”

Offer premium quality pet foods for sale at your practice, and suggest clients buy some along with the services they’re purchasing.

Here again, emphasize that prevention is the key.

Other trends represent increased opportunity…

We have more pets per household then ever before. Consider these exciting trends:

 Pets are living longer than ever before. This is a self-perpetuating cycle: pets receive better care…therefore live longer…and older pets require specialized care.

 People are more likely than they used to be to adopt older pets…therefore animal shelters and rescue organizations are more likely to keep these pets available for adoption rather than euthanize them.

 No-kill shelters are also likely to keep available for adoption pets with other special needs…and people are more willing to adopt these than ever before.

The final frontier of opportunity: cats. A growing percentage of pets in America are cats; there are now more cats than dogs in America. Yet, cats are less likely than dogs to get annual care.

And with Americans having busier lifestyles, with fewer (human) children in the family and most people away during the day, this is a trend with no end in sight.

…Which represents an opportunity to put more emphasis on regular cat care.

Bottom line: connect with owner, who connects with the pet.

Your job is to help the owner keep the pet healthy and happy. Encourage the understanding that it’s good to establish the relationship before something catastrophic happens.

This will keep your clients bringing their pets to you for regular, preventive care.

It will also establish your reputation as being a vet who cares…and by word-of-mouth advertising from healthy patients and happy clients, your business will grow.

Here are some of the ways you can keep in touch with your clients:
Brochures
Case studies
E-mail campaigns
Instruction manuals
News releases
Newsletters (internal and external)
Sales letters
Trade magazine articles
Web content
White papers
…More

About The Author

Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer with a specialty in business and marketing communications. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in animals. She is also a graduate of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI), America’s leading course on copywriting. Contact Lisa J. Lehr Copywriting www.ljlcopywriting.com, Lisa@ljlcopywriting.com for help with your business writing needs.

This article ©Lisa J. Lehr 2005.

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