UBER FOR PETS
Mobile vets have long served livestock owners, immobile animals and owners and in a pet emergency. As we embrace a lifestyle of convenience, the industry is moving into Uber-like territory.
Pawssum is a mobile vet service booked by app. It moved into WA from the Eastern States this year.
WA manager Louisa Fenny says the service works well for her as a vet, offering flexibility and freedom while the company takes care of marketing, invoicing and other business tasks.
“It’s kind of like an Uber service,” Dr Fenny says. “A new booking request gets sent out to all the ‘Uber drivers’ or all the vets on the road.
“When the animal is at home it’s much easier to be able to observe it in its own environment — it’s nice and relaxed.”
There are many mobile vet services available throughout WA, including firms that offer 24-hour service, emergency care and on-the-go treatment for native and exotic species.
Dr Fenny says animal behaviour can be unpredictable in a foreign environment so a home visit suits pet and owner.
“Some dogs are behaviourally completely normal,” she says.
“But when they have to get into a car or be around other dogs or just be in a vet clinic they can get so overexcited and won’t sit still. It takes a dog 10 minutes to calm down, sometimes longer. And that’s for a dog that loves being at the vet. For a dog that hates being at the vet that anxiety can end up being aggression.”
Mobile vets are able to assess other aspects of an animal’s life besides symptoms when they visit the home. The vet can compile a more accurate record of past medication and dosage when they have permission to peer in a pet owner’s cabinet rather rely on the client’s memory.