Vet issues a ‘zero tolerance’ warning after staff face abuse
A MOBILE vet based in Bridgend has been forced to send an automated text to its customers warning abuse to staff members will not be tolerated.
With a UK-wide shortage of vets coinciding with a huge increase in pet ownership, many vets are completely overwhelmed and at capacity.
The tension is leading to aggression against vets like MobiVET, which led to them sending out a message to its clients.
The text said: “A friendly reminder to all of our clients.
“We have a strict ZERO tolerance policy to verbal and physical abuse towards our staff members.
“Unfortunately this has become more common recently, we have been left with no choice but to come down harder on this behaviour.
“Anyone found being verbally or physically abusive to staff members will be asked to find alternative veterinary care providers. Many Thanks, Vlad @ MobiVET.”
MobiVET echoed the sentiment with a statement on Facebook, saying: “Yesterday a text message was sent to registered clients from Vlad directly.
“The message was not unprofessional or unfair to any clients, it was a friendly reminder that MobiVET have a policy in place to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees.
“The veterinary profession has the highest number of suicide and mental health illness rates of all in the UK, as an employer MobiVET are doing everything in their power to ensure this isn’t something they ever have to experience as a team.
“MobiVET have a wonderful client base, and we are blessed with that.
“If you have received a message and you are not a registered client then MobiVET asks for you to contact them to amend this immediately.
“To those who didn’t receive a text please email us to update any details we may not have correctly stored.
“Thank you to those who understand our position.”
Supporters rushed to the comments, reassuring the mobile vets that they understood the need for the text message.
One said: “Heart breaking that you have to address any abuse. So sorry. Keep going team.”
Another said: “I never thought it was unprofessional or inappropriate, end of the day you shouldn’t put up with abuse, you go into people’s homes there is no need for it.”
One added: “I was just extremely saddened that you even needed to send it.”
This is the second time MobiVET has had to warn its clients about abuse.
Back in August, they made a similar statement on Facebook: “We appreciate that most of our clients have been patient and understanding during these challenging times; however, we have encountered some intimidating language, threatening behaviour and general unpleasantness.
“We continue to strive to provide a caring service for you, your pets, and our staff.
“Amid high call volumes, high email (more than 100 a day!) our team is doing its best to prioritise urgent and emergency cases while maintaining a busy diary for routine appointments.
“We uphold a policy of zero tolerance on the abuse of our staff.
“Please take this as a friendly reminder that any persons found to go against this will be de-registered.”