DANIA BEACH, FL — Chewy Inc. has launched a telehealth service called “Connect With a Vet.”
Pet parents can connect with a licensed veterinarian to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, to receive advice, discuss concerns and get referrals to local vets or emergency clinics. The vets do not diagnose medical conditions, provide treatment or prescribe medications, Chewy (NYSE: CHWY) noted in a press release.
“We have focused our efforts into developing an easy to use and convenient tele-triage product that we anticipate will have a positive impact given the current environment, and also extend beyond that,” said Sumit Singh, CEO of Chewy. “We are always looking to enhance our customers’ experience. Visiting a local vet continues to be a challenge for many pet parents during this time. Similarly, the vet community has also been impacted via clinic shutdowns or reduced clinic hours. So, we thought, why not come up with a solution that can help both communities, our customers and veterinarians, in this time of greatest need.”
The “Connect With a Vet” tele-triage service was initially launched in Florida and Massachusetts in May, and Chewy has expanded it to over 35 states with plans of offering it nationwide. The service is currently available exclusively and free of charge to customers who are subscribed to the company’s Autoship program.
To offer the service, Chewy has partnered with vets affected by the pandemic or those seeking flexibility in scheduling.
“These are early days and there is a lot to learn. We’re glad we are innovating fast and at a time when it matters most,” said Singh.