Honouring the heart of the clinic: Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day
On 1 October, we celebrate Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day—a time to celebrate the warm, skilled, empathetic professionals who are the very heartbeat of every veterinary clinic. From handling calls, organising appointments, and supporting pets and their owners, veterinary receptionists do their best to deliver compassionate care and keep the clinic running smoothly.
Here are meaningful, fun, and tangible ways to honour them on 1 October and beyond:
1. Speak from the heart with personalised thank-you notes
Begin the day by writing handwritten or personalised thank-you cards. Mention specifics: “Thank you for offering calm reassurance when Daisy came in for her vaccinations” or “Your organisational genius kept the morning running smoothly, even during the emergency influx.” These personal touches truly matter!
2. Create an in-clinic Wall of Appreciation to show gratitude
Create a Wall of Appreciation in a shared staff area or lobby. Invite customers and team members to post short notes or appreciative doodles, highlighting your hard-working receptionists’ kindness and how they make a difference every day.
3. Spoil them with a mini celebration!
A surprise lunch or afternoon tea is always appreciated at the clinic. Make it a pet-themed celebration if possible with paw-print cupcakes and chocolate! Most importantly, let it be a relaxed, celebratory time away from the front desk.
4. Spotlight veterinary receptionists on your social media and website!
Feature your receptionists on your clinic’s social media and veterinary website. Post a friendly photo, share their favourite things about their job, what makes them smile, or a witty pet-related anecdote. Invite pet owners to post kind messages or comment with thanks—public recognition that goes a long way!
5. Show appreciation with handy and thoughtful gifts
Here are gift ideas that show care and practicality:
- A beautifully packaged treat pouch, handy for managing calm pets and rewarding good behaviour.
- A miniature sound machine for the reception area—a soothing touch for anxious pets and focused staff.
- A small plant or flower to brighten their workspace (ensuring it’s safe and nontoxic for pets!).
A single-serve coffee or tea machine, serving as an instant barista when it’s needed most.
6. Provide veterinary receptionists with powerful tools and support
Ask your reception team: “What everyday task is most draining or overwhelming?” Then invest in something that makes life easier—whether it’s a supportive desk chair, a better phone system, or a 24/7 online booking platform that significantly reduces call volume. Easing your front desk team’s workload is one of the best ways to show your appreciation and support.
7. Build a well-deserved Employee of the Month plaque
Make your veterinary receptionists’ contributions more visible by creating an Employee of the Month tradition or showcase a “Receptionist of the Quarter” award, with a celebratory plaque or certificate. Consider throwing in a small reward such as a spa voucher or a gift card to a nearby coffee shop!
8. Support a cause together—as a team
Choose an animal welfare charity, shelter, or other related organisation and make a collective donation in your receptionists’ name. It’s a meaningful way to say “thank you” and resonates deeply with staff who care for pets daily.
9. Encourage random acts of kindness
Throughout the day, encourage other staff to perform small, thoughtful acts for your front desk team. Whether it’s bringing their favourite fizzy drink to the front desk, helping file paperwork, offering a quick “thank you” in person, or writing affirming sticky notes—these little moments add up.
10. Remember to continue the appreciation year-round!
Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day is the main focus this 1 October—but appreciation shouldn’t stop there. Keep recognition going through:
- Regular feedback and praise during team meetings
- Seasonal celebratory treats (e.g. chocolates or comforting items around winter, sunhats or iced drinks in summer)
- Developing professional roadmaps by asking receptionists about their goals, and helping them progress towards new skills
- Ensuring your team’s well-being with rotating shifts, break coverage, and mental health services
Using our personalised thank-you cards to show your appreciation for your front desk team!
Happy Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day!
Veterinary receptionists are often the first impression of new customers—helping to calm nerves, coordinate care, and manage difficult situations with precision. Make this 1 October a joyful, meaningful celebration of their dedication through heartfelt notes, mini-parties, and workplace improvements. Every gesture counts; when our receptionists feel seen, supported, and valued, it radiates through every interaction. The end result is improved care for pets, better support for customers, and a happier and more productive team.
9 Veterinary Marketing Ideas for October – UK & EU
Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day, World Animal Day, Veterinary Technician Week—October offers many chances to engage with your community. Use our free veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics to get the most out of your October marketing!
Download them here!
Veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics for October
1. Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day: The first day of October is for recognising the hard work of veterinary receptionists. Show your front desk team how much you value their dedication with our free personalised thank-you cards, and give them a shout on your clinic’s social media! Don’t forget to invite your team to our Veterinary Receptionist Facebook Community to connect and network with receptionists around the world.
2. World Animal Day: The 4th of October marks a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about animal rights and welfare. Use your social media channels and made-for-you veterinary website to educate your audience on crucial ways they can support their pet’s well-being. Consider offering complimentary check-ups when pet owners book appointments online.
3. National Badger Day: 6 October highlights the importance of badgers in our environment as well as badger conservation efforts. Share tips on social media and your veterinary website on the different ways badgers benefit our ecosystem, and invite your followers to reply with their own funny or memorable badger stories and encounters. You may even partner with a local wildlife rehabilitation shelter and donate a portion of the day’s online bookings.
4. World Octopus Day: 8 October is dedicated to our intelligent, tentacled friends. Share fascinating octopus facts on social media and encourage your followers to post photos of any octopus companions they may have. You could even host an Octopus photo contest, offering a special discount on their next online booking to the winner!
5. World Mental Health Day: October 10th is a day globally dedicated to mental health education and advocacy. Take this opportunity to remind your community about the positive impacts pets have on our mental well-being, such as how simply petting a furry (or non-furry) friend can significantly reduce stress.
6. National Veterinary Technician Week: Celebrate your dedicated vet techs from the 19th to 25th of October! Show your team and social media followers how much you appreciate your veterinary technicians by sharing team photos or shots of your hard-working techs in action. Don't forget to use our free veterinary technician appreciation cards to honour your colleagues even more this October.
7. National Reptile Awareness Day: 21 October is for celebrating, protecting, and advocating for our reptilian friends. Educate your online community on the best ways to care for their reptile pets and, if your clinic offers reptile care, consider throwing in a complimentary check-up for reptile owners who book their next appointment online.
8. National Adoption Week: Your team can especially help promote shelter adoptions from the 20th to 26th of October this year, and encourage responsible pet adoption over purchasing pets from breeders. Share successful pet adoption stories on social media, and collaborate with local organisations to support the cause. Provide new pet owners who adopt from your partner agency with a discount on initial wellness exams and vaccines when they book an appointment online.
9. National Black Cat Day: 27 October serves to combat negative perceptions about black cats and promote responsible adoption. Your team can acknowledge the occasion by sharing positive black cat stories and adorable images on social media, decorating your clinic with a black cat theme, and offering discounts to cat owners who set up an appointment online.
Need more veterinary marketing inspiration? Download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to celebrate and engage with pet parents all year long!
Australia Edition: 7 Veterinary Marketing Ideas for October
Adopt a Dog Month, World Animal Day, Veterinary Technician Week—October offers many chances to engage with your community. Use our free veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics to get the most out of your October marketing!
Download them here!
Veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics for October
1. Adopt a Dog Month: Promote shelter adoptions this October by sharing adoption success stories on social media and your veterinary website. Your clinic can partner with local shelters and rescue organisations to encourage responsible pet adoption and ownership, and offer a discount on initial wellness exams and vaccines for customers who adopt from your partner agency and book an appointment online.
2. World Animal Day: The 4th of October marks a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about animal rights and welfare. Use your social media channels and made-for-you veterinary website to educate your audience on crucial ways they can support their pet’s well-being. Consider offering complimentary check-ups when pet owners book appointments online.
3. World Octopus Day: 8 October is dedicated to our intelligent, tentacled friends. Share fascinating octopus facts on social media and encourage your followers to post photos of any octopus companions they may have. You could even host an Octopus photo contest, offering a special discount on their next online booking to the winner!
4. National Pet Obesity Awareness Day: The 8th of October is dedicated to raising awareness about the detrimental effects of pet obesity. You can encourage pet parents to prioritise their pets' well-being by emphasising the importance of regular weight checks and maintenance, proper nutrition, adequate exercise, and routine veterinary visits. To show even more support, consider offering a discount on all online bookings made on this day, such as 20% off routine services.
5. World Mental Health Day: 10 October is the time to educate your community on the profound positive effects pets have on mental well-being. Highlight how even the simple act of petting a furry friend can significantly lower stress levels, and be sure to support your team with veterinary tools designed to reduce stress and burnout.
6. Vet Nurse Day: 10 October recognises the daily contributions of hard-working veterinary nurses and technicians in animal healthcare. Show your nurses some extra love on this day by sharing team photos on social media, with a caption that highlights everything they do to support pets and their owners. Invite your social media followers to show their own support in the comment section!
7. National Veterinary Technician Week: Celebrate your dedicated vet techs from the 19th to 25th of October. Show your team and social media followers how much you appreciate your veterinary technicians by sharing team photos or shots of your hard-working techs in action. Don't forget to use our free veterinary technician appreciation cards to honour your colleagues even more this October.
Need more veterinary marketing inspiration? Download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to celebrate and engage with pet parents all year long!
How to Reduce Appointment No-shows with Veterinary Scheduling Software
Appointment no-shows are one of the most frustrating challenges for veterinary practices like yours—risking lost revenue, valuable staff time, and opportunities to provide high-quality pet care. While every clinic experiences the occasional missed appointment, persistent no-shows can quickly disrupt your schedule, reduce clinic productivity, and leave both customers and staff feeling frustrated.
We’re covering the reasons behind no-shows, effective ways to manage missed appointments, and how Vetstoria’s veterinary scheduling software keeps pet owners (and your clinic’s revenue) on track.
Why do appointment no-shows happen in veterinary clinics?
Understanding the “why” is the first step to finding the right solution. Some of the most common reasons for veterinary appointment no-shows include:
- Forgetting the appointment: Pet owners often live busy lives, and without convenient automatic reminders and digital payment options, their visit can easily slip their mind.
- Last-minute conflicts: Work schedules, school pickups, or other unexpected events can often interfere with scheduled appointments.
- Cost concerns: Some pet owners may cancel or fail to show up if they’re worried about the expense of their pet’s care.
- Anxiety—for the pet or the owner: Pet owners with nervous pets—or nervous pet owners themselves—sometimes avoid visits altogether. Providing them with transparency can keep customers coming back to you.
- Inconvenient scheduling: Without convenient veterinary scheduling software, appointment slots may be hard to book or fail to match the customer’s availability, which causes attendance rates to drop.
- Lack of information: Pet parents often look to veterinary clinic websites to find important information on business hours, online booking, and more—key information that keeps loyal customers returning to your practice.
6 effective strategies to reduce missed appointments
1. Send automatic veterinary appointment email reminders
Automatic veterinary email reminders—sent at the time of booking, a few days before the appointment, and one the morning of—can significantly help to keep pet owners on top of the services they’ve booked.
2. Implement a clear appointment cancellation policy
Set expectations by communicating your cancellation policy clearly during the online booking process and on your veterinary website. Require timely notice (e.g. 24 hours) for cancellations and explain that repeated no-shows may result in limited booking privileges or a deposit requirement.
3. Make veterinary scheduling easy and accessible
An online booking option available 24/7 means pet owners can schedule when it’s most convenient for them. When customers can book at a time that fits their lifestyle, they’re more likely to follow through. Customise the software to offer evening or weekend hours if possible, and consider same-day or next-day appointment slots for urgent needs.
4. Use veterinary scheduling software to automate and track attendance
Manually tracking missed appointments can be time-consuming. Veterinary scheduling software can automatically flag repeat offenders, track attendance trends, and help you take proactive steps to reduce no-shows. Plus, this technology allows you to capture pre-appointment veterinary deposits or full payments, which reduces no-shows (and secures clinic revenue) by holding pet owners financially accountable for the services they’ve booked.
5. Strengthen customer communication and relationships
Regular customer engagement through email newsletters, social media, or follow-up calls helps build relationships. Customers who feel connected to your clinic are less likely to miss their pet’s appointment.
6. Take advantage of your veterinary-specific website
Specialised web design and management services help veterinary clinics attract more loyal customers through high-performing, SEO-focused websites on mobile and desktop. Everything is handled for you, allowing you to communicate your brand your way without adding additional tasks to your workload.
How Vetstoria’s veterinary scheduling software helps reduce appointment no-shows
One of the most effective ways to reduce appointment no-shows is to simplify scheduling, communication, and reminders—all of which Vetstoria can do for your clinic.
- Provide 24/7 online booking: Customers can book directly from your website or social media anytime.
- Automate email reminders: Send email reminders without lifting a finger, ensuring customers never forget their next appointment.
- Reduce scheduling conflicts: Vetstoria’s veterinary scheduling software offers many customisations, and integrates with your practice management system to only display available time slots to pet owners.
- Collect deposits: Require pre-appointments deposits or full payments for certain appointment types to secure attendance (and revenue!).
- Track appointment history: Identify pet owners with frequent no-shows and adjust your booking policies accordingly.
Start taking a proactive approach to fewer no-shows
Reducing appointment no-shows at your veterinary clinic isn’t just about protecting revenue—it’s about making sure pets get the timely care they need. With consistent communication, flexible scheduling, and the right tools in place, you can minimise disruptions, keep your schedule full, and deliver better service to pet owners. Vetstoria gives you the technology and automation to make that happen, helping you turn frustrating no-shows into reliable, on-time visits.
7 Veterinary Marketing Ideas to Use in September – UK & EU
From Animal Pain Awareness Month to International Rabbit Day, there are many occasions for your clinic to honour throughout September. Make next month’s marketing strategy easier with our free veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics!
Download them here!
Veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics for September
1. Happy Cat Month: September is all about promoting the well-being of cats. Share valuable care tips for cat parents on social media, and educate your community with cat facts to debunk common myths. Consider collaborating with a local shelter to encourage responsible cat adoption and ownership, and create a photo collage of all the cats your team helps to keep happy. Don’t forget to post on social media and your veterinary website!
2. Urology Awareness Month: September is dedicated to increasing awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of urological conditions and related health issues in pets. You could create an “Ask the Vet” social media post inviting pet owners to voice their own pet urology questions or concerns to your team, whether by commenting in the comment section of your post or calling your clinic. Be sure to share helpful hydration and other urology-related tips with your online community, and consider offering a free urine sample test for those who book appointments online.
3. Animal Pain Awareness Month: September also focuses on educating pet parents about the need to recognise and address animal pain. Your team can participate by using social media to explain the signs of pain in animals and emphasise the importance of pain management. This is also a great time to offer complimentary pain management consultations for clients who schedule visits online!
4. Ginger Cat Appreciation Day: The first day of September is the purr-fect time for an online photo contest, where your followers can vote for the best ginger cat photo! The winner could receive a discounted or free cat wellness exam when they book their next appointment online. You may even consider partnering with a local shelter to promote the responsible adoption and ownership of ginger cats.
5. International Day of Charity: The 5th of September promotes the importance of charitable activities and organisations around the world. Share inspiring quotes and facts about charities with your social media followers, and consider partnering with a local animal charity and donating a portion of online appointment booking proceeds from this day.
6. International Rabbit Day: The 27th of September this year marks a special day dedicated to our beloved domestic and wild rabbits! Get your social media followers involved by asking them to share photos of their bunnies, and compile their photos into a creative collage for your veterinary clinic’s website. Plus, to show some more love to rabbits and their owners, consider offering discounted wellness exams—a great way to encourage preventative care and catch any health issues early!
7. Word Rabies Day: 28 September is for raising awareness about rabies prevention while celebrating progress in controlling this disease. It's an opportunity to emphasise responsible pet ownership and the importance of maintaining up-to-date vaccinations. Offering incentives like complimentary or reduced-prices for appointments made online will not only help encourage pet owners to protect their pets, but also keep them coming back to your clinic for future visits.
Need more veterinary marketing inspiration? Download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to celebrate and engage with pet parents all year long!
Australia Edition: 5 Veterinary Marketing Ideas to Use in September
Make September’s marketing strategy a breeze with our free veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics! From Pet Insurance Month to World Rabies Day, there are many occasions for your clinic to honour next month.
Download them here!
Veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics for September
1. Pet Insurance Month: September is the time to further highlight the advantages of pet insurance, and encourage pet parents to secure coverage. Explore our pet insurance resources to give your team helpful strategies for genuinely advocating for pet insurance with clients. You could also remind your social media audience that your staff is available to address any inquiries or concerns they may have regarding pet insurance.
2. Ginger Cat Appreciation Day: Consider an online ginger cat photo contest to celebrate the first day of September! Your followers can vote for the best photo, and the winner could receive a discounted or free cat wellness exam when they book their next appointment online. You may also think about partnering with a local shelter to promote the responsible adoption and ownership of ginger cats.
3. Responsible Dog Ownership Day: The 20th of September is a day to celebrate the special bond we share with dogs, and to encourage responsible dog ownership. Share your best tips on Facebook, Instagram, and your veterinary website for keeping dogs happy and healthy, and ask your followers to post pictures of their own content canine companions! This is also an excellent opportunity to offer a promotion for dog owners, such as a complimentary nail trimming for those who book appointments online.
4. International Rabbit Day: 27 September is a special worldwide celebration for rabbits! Engage your social media followers by inviting them to share photos of their bunnies, and create a unique collage from these photos for your veterinary clinic's website. You can also encourage preventative care and early detection by offering discounted wellness exams for rabbit owners who book your services online.
5. World Rabies Day: The 28th of September marks a global effort to raise awareness about rabies prevention. It's a key moment to highlight responsible pet ownership, particularly the importance of up-to-date vaccinations. By offering incentives such as complimentary or reduced-price online appointments, your team can encourage pet owners to keep their pets healthy, which creates long-term relationships with customers.
Need more veterinary marketing inspiration? Download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to celebrate and engage with pet parents all year long!
How to Improve Veterinary Client Communication Without Adding to your Staff’s To-Do List
One area that’s key to client satisfaction and loyalty is having exceptional veterinary client communication. But between patient care, surgeries, administrative tasks, and customer interactions, veterinary teams are almost always stretched thin. So, how can you improve your communication without adding more to your team’s already lengthy to-do list?
The answer: by using intelligent, purpose-built veterinary communication software that automates, simplifies, and enhances your client interactions—without increasing your team’s workload. That’s where Vetstoria comes in!
The hidden costs of manual client communication
Managing appointment reminders, follow-ups, and client inquiries may seem feasible in a small practice, but as your customer base grows, it can quickly spiral into an administrative headache. Not to mention the valuable time manual tasks take away from providing excellent pet care.
Without the right tools, practices often face:
- Missed appointments or late cancellations
- Inconsistent client engagement
- Delayed responses that frustrate pet owners
- Staff burnout due to repetitive, non-clinical tasks
Why great veterinary client communication matters more than ever
Regardless of your location, pet owners today expect more from their veterinary experience—with nearly 1 in 3 pet owners on the verge of switching vets due to the delivery of service not meeting their expectations.1 They want easy access to services, personalised communication, and a convenient, digital-first experience.
96% of people say it’s important that a business communicates effectively with them as a customer.2 More than increasing client satisfaction, powerful veterinary communication software will also help your clinic with:
- Higher customer retention
- Better compliance with treatment plans
- Increased trust and enhanced care delivery
- More positive reviews and referrals
While achieving this level of communication manually isn’t realistic for most practices, Vetstoria’s automations make it easy.
How Vetstoria improves veterinary client communication
More than done-for-you websites and accurate online booking, Vetstoria’s veterinary client communication software is made to solve your veterinary team’s specific challenges, from automating routine tasks to helping you grow your clinic without adding to your workload.
1. 24/7 online booking
Let clients book appointments anytime, from anywhere—without playing phone tag or managing bottlenecks during peak hours. Vetstoria’s customisable online booking platform integrates directly with your practice management system (PMS), providing real-time accuracy and reducing double-bookings.
- Enjoy fewer inbound calls each day
- Increase customer satisfaction with immediate booking confirmations
- Free up front desk staff to focus on other important to-dos
2. Automated appointment reminders
Cut down on no-shows and last-minute cancellations with customisable email and SMS reminders. These are sent automatically, reducing the burden on your team while keeping customers informed and prepared.
- Reduce missed appointments and lost revenue
- Strengthen scheduling efficiency
- Encourage client compliance
3. Pre-appointment efficiency
You can collect medical histories, payments, or use the new client form to make sure you have all the information you need—automatically done for you through Vetstoria Online Booking. Plus, you can use our veterinary communication software to display custom messages and prevent certain appointments from being scheduled online, keeping you in total control of each booking.
- Enjoy smoother appointments
- Reduce time in the waiting room
- Keep your staff prepared with less stress
4. Managed-for-you veterinary websites
Stand out on Google through local SEO, get a beautifully-designed website that fits your brand, and stay focused on pet care while Vetstoria Websites does all the work for you. You’ll be able to effortlessly attract, engage, and retain more customers without having to do any additional work.
- Maintain consistent client engagement
- Get more online bookings
- Drive revenue without extra effort
5. Multi-language support
For clinics in multicultural regions like the Middle East, Asia, or parts of Europe, Vetstoria supports multiple languages, improving accessibility and ensuring clear communication across customer demographics.
Real results from real veterinary practices
Vetstoria is trusted by over 8,000 veterinary teams worldwide. Clinics that choose our veterinary communication software have found a significant decrease in daily call volume, more time saved for staff, and an all-around better client experience that keeps pet owners coming back.
- Great Western Animal Hospital reduced phone calls by 40%
- Petmania Vet Clinic automatically booked 54.7% of appointments after hours
- AniCura Clinic increased client retention by 13%
- Abbeyville Veterinary Hospital secured 2,000 appointments through Vetsoria Websites
Read more Vetstoria customer success stories.
Start improving your veterinary client communication!
Client communication is key for the success of modern clinics—but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your team’s well-being. With Vetstoria’s veterinary communication software, you can enhance every touchpoint of the customer journey while giving your team more time to focus on care, not repetitive administrative work.
Want to improve your communication without adding to your team’s to-do list? Take a quick, self-guided tour or set up your custom demo to see how effortless great communication can be with Vetstoria.
Take an online tour | Get a demo
1 PetDesk: The 2025 Pet Parent Research Report
2 Project.co: Communication Statistics 2025
9 Veterinary Marketing Ideas for August – UK & EU
National Immunisation Awareness Month, Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs, and International Assistance Dog Week are just a few key occasions for your clinic to support this August. Save time on next month’s marketing strategy with our free veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics!
Download them here!
Veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics to use in August
1. National Immunisation Awareness Month: August is a perfect opportunity to emphasise the critical role vaccinations play for pets of all ages and breeds. Your practice can participate by offering discounted vaccinations to pet parents who book appointments online during the month, and by sharing valuable vaccine information on your veterinary website and social media channels.
2. Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs: Celebrated on the first of August each year, this day honours shelter dogs with unknown birthdays. Your veterinary team can get involved by promoting shelter dogs on social media, organising donation drives for local shelters, and offering discounted services for those who adopt a shelter dog in August and book an appointment with you online.
3. International Assistance Dog Week: The first full week of August (the 3rd to 9th this year) is dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions of assistance dogs and their handlers. Join the festivities by creating a "Hero Wall" in your clinic lobby or on your veterinary website, showcasing photos of the devoted service dogs and trainers in your local vet community. Consider offering special discounts or treats to customers who share their assistance dog's photos or stories, and crafting a social media "Thank-You" post filled with fascinating facts about service pets.
4. International Cat Day: The 8th of August is dedicated to celebrating our feline friends and promoting their well-being. Your team can show some love by sharing valuable information on meeting cats' needs and ensuring their safety, health, and happiness. Consider hosting a "Cat Happy Hour" at your clinic, offering free treats and discounted cat services for cat owners who book an appointment online. Don't forget to engage with your community on social media by showcasing your love for cats and their owners, and encouraging them to share their own adorable cat photos!
5. International Homeless Animals Day: The third Saturday of August (16th August this year) emphasises shelter pet well-being. Your team can promote responsible pet adoption and ownership by collaborating with a local animal shelter and directing your followers to adopt from them. Elevate your veterinary marketing even further by providing free or reduced spay/neuter services—and incentivising new pet parents with a discount on their initial online appointment booking with you!
6. World Pet Microchipping Day: The 15th of August marks a day dedicated to pet microchipping awareness, highlighting the crucial need for maintaining up-to-date chip information. Consider supporting this initiative by providing complimentary microchipping services for online appointment bookings, and leaning on social media to share key facts and advice about pet microchipping.
7. World Photography Day: Let’s see those pearly whites on 19 August for World Photography Day! Engage with your online pet community by creating a digital collage of the adorable pets your team supports, and posting it on Facebook or Instagram. Be sure to ask your followers to reply with their own striking pet pics! Plus, you could consider offering discounts on grooming or dental services for those who book appointments online.
8. International Dog Day: 26 August celebrates the human-canine bond, honouring dogs as companions and working animals. It also promotes responsibly adopting dogs who have yet to find their forever homes. Your practice can help by partnering with a local shelter, and donating a portion of proceeds from that day’s online appointment bookings. You could also use this time to encourage responsible pet ownership by offering 15% off routine services for dog owners.
9. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day: The 28th of August is for remembering beloved pets who are no longer with us. You can cherish the memories of our fellow furry, feathered, and scaled friends by inviting your online followers to reply with their own pet stories in the comments of your social media posts. Remind your community that you and your veterinary staff are here to support their pets’ health needs, and that they can conveniently book a vet visit on your clinic’s website whenever they’d like.
Need more veterinary marketing inspiration? Download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to celebrate and engage with pet parents all year long!
Australia Edition: 9 Veterinary Marketing Ideas for August
August brings many opportunities for your clinic to engage with pet owners, including Pet Dental Health Month, Check the Chip Day, and International Dog Day. Simplify next month’s marketing efforts with our free veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics!
Download them here!
August veterinary marketing ideas and social media graphics
1. Pet Dental Health Month: August is the perfect time to focus on pet dental health! It’s an excellent opportunity to educate pet parents on the importance of dental hygiene, recommended dental exam frequency, and what to anticipate during a dental appointment. You can also boost your schedule by promoting special dental service offers for pet parents who book appointments online.
2. Immunisation Awareness Month: August also highlights the vital importance of pet vaccinations across all ages and breeds. Your practice can contribute by providing discounted vaccinations to pet parents who schedule appointments online this month, and by sharing crucial vaccine information via your veterinary website and social media channels.
3. Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs: 1 August is for celebrating the unknown birth dates of our canine mates who have yet to find their forever homes. Your vet team can show some love by featuring shelter dogs on social media and your clinic’s website, coordinating donation drives, and offering discounted services for new dog parents who schedule a visit online.
4. International Assistance Dog Week: Celebrate our incredible assistance dogs and their handlers during the first full week of August, from the 3rd to the 9th of August this year! Your team can join the cause by highlighting interesting service dog facts on social media, creating an appreciation post on your veterinary website showcasing the hard-working assistance dogs your clinic supports, and inviting your followers to share their own service dog photos and stories.
5. International Cat Day: 8 August is a day to honour our feline friends and to promote their well-being. You can get involved by sharing valuable information on how to properly meet cats' health and lifestyle needs, and be sure to include an online appointment booking link so cat owners can conveniently set up a visit right there! Encourage your followers to reply to your social media post with photos of their cats, and consider giving away a discount on a wellness exam for the winner with the most adorable photo.
6. International Check the Chip Day: The 15th of August underscores the vital importance of keeping pet microchip information current. Support the effort by throwing in free microchipping services for online appointment bookings on this day, and using social media to promote key facts and advice on pet microchipping.
7. International Homeless Animals Day: The third Saturday of August (arriving on 16 August this year) is for encouraging responsible pet adoption and ownership. Your team can show suppport by partnering with a local animal shelter, and directing your followers to adopt from them. Consider offering free or discounted spay/neuter services, and incentivise new pet parents with 20% off their first online appointment booking.
8. National Black Cat Appreciation Day: 17 August is a chance to challenge negative stereotypes and promote responsible adoption of black cats. Your team can participate by sharing amusing stories and photos, decorating the clinic with a black cat theme, and offering discounts to clients who own black cats. Consider setting up a photo booth in your lobby and using the photos to create a "wall of appreciation" on your veterinary website, showcasing the adorable black cats in your community.
9. International Dog Day: The 26th of August celebrates the bond between us and our canine companions, recognising dogs as both best mates and working animals. It's also an opportunity to advocate for the responsible adoption of dogs still awaiting their forever homes—so consider collaborating with a local shelter and donating a portion of the day's online appointment booking proceeds. You may also throw in a promotion to encourage responsible dog ownership, like a 10–20% discount on wellness exams.
Need more veterinary marketing inspiration? Download the 2025 Pet Holiday Calendar to celebrate and engage with pet parents all year long!
How to Retain Veterinary Clients in a Competitive Market
Veterinary practices today face a growing challenge: how to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. With 31% of pet owners saying they’re likely to switch vets in 2025 due to a lack of a convenient digital experience,1 it’s no longer enough to simply attract new customers—you need to retain them.
Veterinary client retention is more than a metric, it’s the foundation of long-term practice growth and success. Pet parents who feel connected, understood, and supported are more likely to return, accept your recommendations, and refer their friends. In a marketplace full of choices, loyalty is earned through a superior veterinary experience.
That’s where you come in! By investing in powerful veterinary tools for your practice, retaining clients becomes a whole lot easier.
Why veterinary client retention should be a top priority
Research shows that acquiring a new customer costs anywhere from five to 25 times more than retaining an existing one.2 Plus, loyal clients don’t just visit your practice more often—they’re also more likely to:
- Stick to wellness schedules
- Follow treatment plans
- Purchase preventatives from your clinic
- Leave positive reviews
- Engage in pet health education
A loyal customer base leads to improved patient care, more consistent revenue, and an all-around better veterinary environment for clients and staff.
What makes pet parents stay loyal to your practice?
Client loyalty isn’t just built during the exam room visit—it’s shaped before and after the appointment as well. To retain veterinary client, every interaction matters.
A few key components that contribute to pet parent loyalty include:
- Convenient appointment scheduling
- Personalised communication
- Clear follow-ups and timely reminders
- Reduced phone calls and wait times
- Trust in your care recommendations
When pet parents encounter friction (long hold times, outdated or impersonal communication, limited booking options) they may look elsewhere for their pets’ care. The solution lies in making their experience flawless from start to finish: before, during, and after their appointments.
5 tools that help retain veterinary clients
To thrive in this competitive market, veterinary teams need tools that make their day-to-day easier and more productive, elevating the customer experience as a result. You can help your clinic boost client retention by investing in modern veterinary solutions, like:
1. 24/7 online appointment scheduling
Offering round-the clock online booking gives pet parents the flexibility they expect from your practice. Instead of calling during business hours, clients can schedule directly through your website or app whenever it’s convenient for them. Real-time availability ensures in-the-moment accuracy, allowing them to book the services they need without having to worry about double-booked appointments or other scheduling errors. That means less back and forth, fewer missed care opportunities, and happier pet parents.
This alone can drastically improve veterinary client retention, especially among younger, more tech-savvy pet owners who manage most of their lives online.
2. Smart appointment routing
Customisable online booking software allows you to direct certain appointment types to specific veterinarians, techs, or rooms—making the customer experience more convenient and personalised. Whether it's a new puppy exam or a recheck with a preferred DVM, ensuring the right fit for every pet parent’s needs helps to improve patient outcomes and client satisfaction.
The bottom line: when clients feel seen and understood, they’re more likely to view your team as a trusted partner in pet care, and will continue returning to the clinic.
3. Automated reminders and recalls
Even the most caring pet owners get busy and forget their vet appointments. Automated reminders for routine services like vaccines, wellness exams, and follow-ups help your customers stay on track of their pets’ health needs—while reducing the administrative burden on your front desk.
Pairing reminders with easy booking options closes the loop, ensuring clients follow through without hassle. That’s a win for pets—and for your practice!
4. Campaigns and custom booking flows
Need to fill slower appointment times? Want to promote Pet Dental Month or a wellness bundle? Customisable booking flows and digital campaigns allow you to spotlight promotions, loyalty perks, or specific services—helping you target the right customers at the right time.
This helps keep pet parents engaged between routine visits, and builds excitement around your specific offerings.
5. Virtual care options
Telemedicine isn’t just a pandemic-era solution—it’s a lasting expectation, with now more than 60% of pet owners worldwide saying they’re willing to pay for telemedicine through their vets.3 Offering virtual consults for routine issues, post-op checks, or behavioral advice gives busy clients a valuable alternative to in-clinic visits. It also keeps communication lines open between appointments, allowing your team to provide quick and easy support without the need for additional in-person visits.
These convenient services help retain veterinary clients who may otherwise seek answers from unreliable online sources, preventing missed or delayed pet care.
Build a practice that keeps clients coming back
Client loyalty isn’t built on just one great visit—it’s earned through consistent, thoughtful experiences created by you and your team. From the first online touchpoint to the post-visit follow-up, every detail shapes how pet parents perceive your care.
To better retain veterinary clients, practices must adopt tools and workflows that:
- Prioritise convenience and flexibility
- Simplify communication
- Personalise the care experience
- Automate time-consuming tasks
- Guide and encourage clients to take an active role in their pets’ health
When your team is supported by the right veterinary technology, they can focus on the most important parts of their day: building genuine relationships with pet parents and providing outstanding care to their pets.
3 key questions you may be thinking about
1. What’s the most important factor in veterinary client retention?
A consistent, convenient, and personalised customer experience is key. When clients feel valued and understood—and can conveniently access care—they’re far more likely to remain loyal to the practice.
2. How can I improve pet parent loyalty without increasing staff workload?
Digital tools like 24/7 online booking, automated reminders, personalised messaging, and virtual care reduce manual tasks, giving your team more time to connect with clients in meaningful ways.
3. How can I tell if our clinic is losing clients?
Look for gaps in recheck scheduling, overdue reminders, or a drop in return visits from first-time customers. Analytics from your software can help uncover trends and areas for improvement, ultimately keeping you connected with your customer base and ahead of customer churn.
Customer loyalty isn’t a given—it’s something your practice builds upon every day. With the right strategies and support in place, you can improve the client experience, reduce churn, and build a thriving veterinary community that clearly stands out from others.
1 PetDesk: The 2025 Pet Parent Research Report
2 Harvard Business Review: The Value of Keeping the Right Customers
3 Health for Animals: Global State of Pet Care
