FirstVet  ​(​www.firstvet.com​),  ​the  UK’s  leading  provider of on-demand video consultations with local, qualified vets, is making its services available for free to all pet owners and animals across the UK until April 30th, in cooperation of is insurance partners Bought By Many, LV= and Waggel. 

As  COVID-19  continues  to  spread  across  the  world,  FirstVet  aims  to  alleviate  some  of  the  stress  and uncertainty  for  UK-based  pet  owners  by  providing  its  services  without  charge  over  the  next  six weeks, regardless  of  the  individual’s  insurance  status.  Appointments  will  be  available  from  Wednesday  18th March  to  Thursday  30  April,  for  five hours per day: from  12:00 - 17:00. FirstVet has also made its services available for  free  in  the  Nordics,  where  the  Stockholm-founded  company is headquartered. Since launching in the UK last year,  FirstVet  has  taken  in  excess  of  seven  thousand  consultations  with  British pet  owners  (and  their  animal friends, from cats to horses, dogs to tortoises). 

Whilst  the  reporting  of  COVID-19  focuses  on the human health sector - and rightfully so as there are no  known  risks  for  animals  -  the  decision  has  been  made  as  FirstVet  has  experienced  a  dramatic  20% week-on-week  increase  in  pet  owners  using  its  video  vet  service  due  to  self-isolation  and  mandatory  quarantine.  In  addition,  veterinary  clinics  across  the  UK  have  temporarily  closed  and,  by  administering availability of the FirstVet service, the company hopes to alleviate the pressure on the clinics that are still open, as well as ensuring that pets and pet owners continue to have access to qualified veterinary care. 

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. 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.” 

How to book a consultation 

Using  the  app,  pet  owners  can  video  call  UK-registered  vets  who  can  offer  advice  on  treatments  and  symptoms,  from  the  comfort  of  their  own  home.  Video  appointments  can  be  booked  in  as  often  as necessary, with users often being able to meet with vets within 30 minutes of requesting an appointment.  

The standard FirstVet consultation session prices (£20 + VAT on weekdays 9am-6pm, and £30 + VAT out of hours) will be waived over the next six weeks.