Pumpkin is currently not available in all states.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company and produced by Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc.

Copyright © 2019 Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: 251 W 30th St. Suite 9W, New York, NY 10001

Follow Us

Pumpkin’s mission is to “make the best pet care possible fur all."  This would not be possible without the tireless work of the veterinarians and veterinary teams who have committed their lives and careers to the pets we love – even during the COVID-19 crisis.

How To Support Your Veterinarian During COVID-19

For Dogs

For Cats

Many people are unaware of the enormous challenges that veterinarians face.  Most don’t realize just how difficult it is to run a profitable animal hospital, or that many veterinarians go to medical school for as long as physicians do – and often finish their education with as much debt, too. Veterinarians have to learn how to treat multiple species, and perform everything from vaccinations to routine procedures, to life-saving emergency surgeries. Lastly, few people are aware or that stress and disproportionately high suicide rates have long-plagued the veterinary community. (Just Google ‘veterinarians and compassion fatigue’ if you want to learn more)

The COVID-19 crisis is putting veterinary hospitals under even more pressure. Due to ‘stay at home’ restrictions, many vet hospitals across the country have been forced to reduce services, cut staff hours, and adopt strict new measures to ensure the safety of their staff and clients. 

Want to know how you can help? Here are 3 simple things you can do to support your pet’s veterinary hospital during this challenging time.


1. Stay Safe

Veterinary hospitals in many states have been ordered to provide only essential and emergency care, and to postpone routine wellness visits & elective procedures. This is being done to ensure the safety of hospital staff and to ensure that they are able to provide care to the pets that need it most. If your pet gets sick or hurt and needs medical attention, call your vet first and ask about any guidelines (like these from WSAVA) that they may have in place.

• Always call before your appointment
• Only one healthy person should accompany the pet
• When you arrive, wait outside or in your car until the staff provides instructions
• Wash or disinfect your hands when you enter and after you leave
• Avoid contact (no handshaking) and try to stay 6 ft away from other people
• If possible, use contactless payment methods
  

2. Be Patient

The new measures your veterinarian is having to take are probably new to them too, and they may be operating with a reduced staff. Your vet might request that you send an email or leave a message for them if they’re busy, or you may experience longer wait times on the phone or before an appointment. And if they are using new technologies in order to provide virtual visits or contactless payments, it may take some time to iron out the kinks.
 
It’s understandable to be stressed or frustrated, especially if your pet might be hurt or sick. Rest assured that your pet’s veterinary team and all emergency clinics and hospitals are as committed as ever providing medical care to the pets that need it most.

 
3. Say 'Thank You'

Lately we’ve all been reminded that the simplest gestures can mean the most. Everything we do at Pumpkin, we do because we want to create a healthier, happier world for pets and the people that love them. Supporting the veterinary community is a key part of this, and over the past few weeks we’ve been humbled to hear how important this is to customers too.

This is why we launched #ArfMeowForVets campaign. 

You can support your veterinarian simply by writing a thank you note to them, snapping a pic of it with your pet, and sharing on social media. For every ‘thank you’ shared to your veterinary hospital on facebook or Instagram, we’ll contribute $5 – up to $5K per clinic or hospital – to their COVID-19 Vet Staff Relief Fund.
 
The response from veterinarians has been tremendous. Many are in need of any financial help they can get, but the pictures of your pets and thank you notes have been a source of support and encouragement for their staff during very long and difficult days. Learn more on our Facebook or Instagram page and share a note from your pet!

Even as stay-at-home orders are lifted and we start to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, veterinary hospitals will need our help to get back to business as usual – and hopefully better than usual! We’re committed to supporting them, and are so proud that pet parents, like you, are too. From all of us here at Pumpkin, we say ‘Arf, Meow & Thank you!’

Have questions or need help?
Email us at arfmeow@pumpkin.care or message us on Facebook or Instagram