FirstVet has announced it will be making its services free to all pet owners across the UK until 30 April.
The move is in cooperation with its insurance partners, Bought By Many, LV= and Waggel.
The on-demand video consultation provider said that the move aims to “alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty” for pet owners by providing its services without charge “regardless of the individual’s insurance status”
The decision was also made as the service experienced a 20% week-on-week increase in pet owners using its video vet service due to self-isolation and mandatory quarantine.
As veterinary clinics across the UK have temporarily closed, the company hopes to “alleviate the pressure on the clinics that are still open”.
David Prien, CEO and co-founder of FirstVet, comments: “Our number one concern is supporting the health of pets and their owners alike, which is why we and our insurance partners have decided to make our services available to all, regardless of insurance status, until the end of April 2020.
“We are aware that the situation we find ourselves in is, for many, unprecedented, and we are keen to do all we can to help take away some of the stress and uncertainty that we know pet owners are experiencing.”
He added: “We are also committed to playing our part in reducing unnecessary travel when social distancing measures are in place and hope that we can reduce some of the pressure experienced by the physical vet clinics that are being impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.”
Since launching in the UK last year, FirstVet has taken in excess of seven thousand consultations with pet owners.
