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Becoming a News Source

Pet Age Staff//February 1, 2013//

Becoming a News Source

Pet Age Staff //February 1, 2013//

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More and more veterinarians are turning to social media to stay connected to their clients, give advice, share tips and become a trusted source for pet related news.

“If a pet is healthy, we may only see the pet once a year for a check-up and vaccination boosters,” Billie Deam, a veterinarian at Animal Clinic of Boardwalk Square in Kansas City, Mo., said. “However, there is a lot of important information to be shared with pet owners throughout the year. Facebook and social media make it easy for us to stay connected. These sites naturally complement our mission to educate and empower pet owners to provide the best possible pet care.”

The animal hospital team first started using Facebook as a way to quickly communicate critical veterinary care news, such as recalls.

“The Facebook newsfeed makes sharing urgent news easy,” Deam said. “A single posting allows us to reach hundreds of our pet owners in a matter of minutes.”

When they saw that success, the practice decided to expand their postings.

“Virtually all of our pet owners are on Facebook,” Deam explained. “We are encouraging them to follow our practice on Facebook and join the conversation. Pet owners can ask questions about holistic and acupuncture services. They can learn more about dog and cat surgery, pet dentistry and other services at our practice. We are excited about Facebook’s ability to foster an ongoing dialogue with pet owners.”

Utilizing Facebook came in handy most recently during the holidays.

“Everything from holiday lights to dry Christmas tree needles can pose a health risk for pets during the holidays,” Deam said. “We shared holiday and winter care tips on Facebook. Our goal is to remind pet owners about the best ways to keep their pets safe this holiday season and reduce the risk for health emergencies.”