Pet welfare in the UK will become a major issue unless owners can access options for affordable veterinary advice, says a leading vet-tech company.
Joii Pet Care has more than 150,000 registered pets, whose owners can get immediate help and advice from qualified vets via online consultations 24/7.
Vet-AI, which launched the Joii Pet Care app two years ago, says choice, affordability and convenience for UK pet owners is needed now more than ever before. It comes after recent reports of a surge in pet ownership and rising costs of vet bills alongside associated pet costs.
Co-founder Paul Hallett said: “Understandably, rising vet costs are a big concern for pet owners and we want to see this addressed. But we absolutely cannot allow animals to suffer in the meantime because their owners can’t afford to access vet care. There’s a real and significant risk to the health and welfare of animals in the UK if people do not access the high-quality veterinary care that is needed.
“The good news is that because of the technology at our disposal now, digital vet-tech services can open up options for affordable access to high-quality veterinary advice. The ‘111’ service for human healthcare gives access to great medical advice remotely and the same is true of veterinary consultations. Pet owners need to be given the choice as to where and how they access care. This eases the pressure from traditional practices and animal charities who are also experiencing a concerning uplift in contacts from worried pet parents.”
Joii Pet Care, which has a ‘111’ triage service, an innovative symptom checker and also signposts to physical vet practices, has been in demand since it launched in 2019. While the firm acknowledges that telemedicine will never replace physical practices and an ongoing need for physical examination, pet owners can see a Joii vet for the majority of issues.
Paul added: “Joii Pet Care has been and continues to be a lifeline to thousands of pet parents across the UK, offering veterinary care at a fraction of the price without any compromise on quality of care.”
Joii Pet Care also supports the welfare of animals through charity work. The company is currently supporting Thin Blue Paw – a charity created this year to support retired police dogs and Dogs for Autism – a charity providing assistance dogs to those who need them. The company offers free vet consultations for the dogs involved and raises awareness of these causes to their community of engaged and passionate pet owners.
“Pets give great comfort and companionship for owners, often helping to alleviate mental health worries,” said Paul. “It’s essential that everyone – human and animals – get the right level of professional support no matter what their financial situation, especially after what has been an extremely difficult time throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Joii Pet Care was launched in 2019 by experienced vets Robert Dawson and Sarah Warren, and tech entrepreneur Paul Hallett. Built by a team of experts using cutting edge technology, Joii allows pet parents to diagnose and receive recommended treatment for pets from the comfort of their home.
