Phone answering for vet clinics: AI assistant, person or voicemail?
A vet clinic can have its phone answered by its own team, an outsourced answering service, voicemail or an AI voice assistant like AlloVet. The AI assistant answers every call, day and night, and books appointments; a person is still better for sensitive cases.
AI voice assistant (AlloVet)
The assistant answers straight away, even when several calls come in at once. It books appointments in your calendar, answers questions approved by the clinic (opening hours, access, prices) and transfers emergencies to your team.
Its limits: it gives no medical advice and only follows your clinic's instructions. For a request outside those instructions, the call transcript and summary are in the portal so your team can call back.
A person: your team or an outside service
A person understands delicate situations and reassures a worried owner. But a reception desk answers one call at a time, and only during its hours.
An outsourced answering service covers more hours, but knows your clinic less well: it follows the instructions you give it. Its price depends on the provider and the number of calls.
Voicemail
It is the simplest option. But the client has to leave a message and wait for a call back, and some hang up without leaving one. No appointment is booked during the call.
Combining options
You can keep your team at the desk and let the assistant take calls outside opening hours, or all calls if you prefer. You keep your number: calls are forwarded to AlloVet.
The full comparison, criterion by criterion, is on its own page.
Questions about phone answering
Can an AI voice assistant replace a veterinary receptionist?
No, not completely. It answers every call and books appointments, which frees up time at the desk. Sensitive cases, the front desk and client follow-up stay with your team.
Do callers know they are talking to an AI?
Yes. The assistant says so at the start of every call.
How does AlloVet's price compare with an outsourced answering service?
AlloVet costs from €99 per month for a clinic with 1 to 2 vets, with 300 minutes included. The price of an answering service depends on the provider: compare based on your calls per month.
Want to hear the assistant with your clinic's instructions?
Book a 30-minute demo, or ask for a free one-month test.