Someone calling a vet is often worried. A greeting that is calm and clear about what to do in an emergency saves that caller a lot of stress, even when nobody can pick up right away.
Many smaller clinics do not offer their own 24-hour emergency care and refer callers to a regional emergency animal hospital outside business hours. State that referral number explicitly and up front; an owner with a sick or injured pet should not have to search a generic voicemail for an answer.
Three scripts you can use right away
Replace the parts in [brackets] with your own details.
Welcome message
“Welcome to [practice name]. We are currently in a treatment. Is this an emergency with your pet? Please stay on the line for our assistant. To book or reschedule an appointment, you can also email [email address].”
After hours
“Welcome to [practice name]. The practice is currently closed. We are available on weekdays from [time] to [time]. Do you have an emergency with your pet outside these hours? Please call [emergency clinic name] directly at [emergency clinic phone number].”
Voicemail
“You have reached the voicemail of [practice name]. Please leave your name, phone number and your pet's name, and our assistant will call you back as soon as possible.”
Need more than one message?
See all prices and packages on one page, or create a single message first from €19.