#Hundreds of #veterinary #workers are #risking their #lives

Veterinary staff are putting their lives on the line to brave the outdoors and take care of our pets during the pandemic. They deserve hazard pay now! Sign Now Dear friends, Right now, hundreds of veterinary workers are risking their health and their lives to come to work every day, even as the novel coronavirus is raging across the United States, in order to treat our pets. They're doing this out of love, dedication — and the fact that they're designated as "essential employees." But the National Veterinary Associates (NVA), the largest private owner of freestanding animal hospitals in the U.S., is refusing to properly compensate them for the risks they're taking by providing what's known as "hazard pay." Hazard pay is a form of additional pay for those employees who perform work that is hazardous or could result in physical hardship. It couldn't be more clear that vets and their staff deserve this bonus. Every time they interact with an animal, they're also interacting with germs from that pet's owner, clearly putting them in harm's way. Many retail and food corporations are, thankfully, beginning to offer hazard pay to their staff, yet animal healthcare workers get nothing. Sign the petition to demand that the NVA take their employees' health seriously and provide hazard pay now! Thank you for all that you do,   Miranda B. The Care2 Petitions Team P.S. There's a pandemic raging outside, yet the National Veterinary Associates doesn't seem to care. Tell them to properly value veterinary staff whose lives are being endangered by providing hazard pay!