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Pests Don't Practice Social Distancing

Published on 4/14/20

 

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, it can seem as though life has been put on hold. However, the one thing that your customers can’t afford to put on hold is their pet’s flea, tick, and heartworm preventives. Yes, people across the world are being asked to practice social distancing, but you know that pests aren’t adhering to the six-feet rule!

 

 

Why is it important now more than ever?

  • The prevalence of heartworm is forecasted to increase in 2020. While the northeast may not see a huge jump in cases, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) specifically calls out historically low-risk areas such as along the Mississippi River, southern portions of the Midwest, and along the Atlantic coast north into Virginia as areas that must heed caution.
  • Over 70 species of mosquito have been found to carry heartworms and more tropical species are being found in the northeast.
  • Lyme disease is expanding its range from the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, the upper mid-western states, and throughout Canada. Other tick-borne illnesses, such as Ehrlichiosis, are also spreading and being found in pets and people all across the United States.
  • Companion animals are spending more time outdoors. With travel restrictions put in place and local bars, restaurants, and shopping centers closed down, pets are getting a lot more attention - and a lot more walks. This means more exposure. People may even notice fleas and ticks more since they have time on their hands to be scrutinizing their pets.
  • Many areas saw a mild winter, which generally leads to a heavier pest population. Plus, now is the time where the weather finally starts to get nicer, which means more time outside, more windows open, and a higher risk of exposure.

 

 

With everything going on, we know that keeping up with preventives is most likely not on your client’s minds. But you know the fact is that they need to keep up or else they are putting their pet at risk. Use your communication tools, such as email, app notifications, social media, and even phone calls/texts to remind your clients to stock up.

 

While you are most likely not operating as business as usual, here are a few ways to ensure your clients get the flea, tick, and heartworm preventives they need:

 

  • Offer curbside pick-up. Have your clients call ahead of time to order their preventives and pay with a credit card over the phone. Make sure they know your operating hours and instruct them to call once they arrive in the parking lot. Have someone run their preventives out with their receipt.
  • Offer a delivery service. Allow clients to call in to order their preventives and pay with a credit card. Then have one of your staff deliver to their house using contact-less delivery (i.e. leave the delivery on the front porch). We know this isn’t a normal job duty for your staff, but if you’re struggling to keep your staff on, this may be a way to alleviate some of that pressure!
  • Offer a bundle deal. This is a great idea for everyone - your client can stock up, making monthly trips unnecessary, while saving money AND you get some much-needed revenue during a difficult time where you’re unable to offer your usual services. Think of ways to upsell. Can you add some dental or behavior products on there? Don’t sleep on preventives and the other products you sell (think veterinary diets, dermatology, dental and behavior products) as ways to keep a stream of revenue coming into your practice during this pandemic.

 

 

Make sure your clients know: pests don’t practice social distancing. While it’s a strange time for everyone, our pets depend on us to keep up with their preventives in order to keep them free of fleas, ticks, and heartworms. In our Marketing Resources Library, we offer several COVID-19 specific resources, including social media posts and a client handout about the importance of continuing pet prescriptions and preventives. Keep in mind that Penn Vet is here to support you - just at least six feet away! Give us a call at 800-233-0210 if we can be of assistance.

 

 

 

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