There’s no doubt that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is creating challenges for all of us, both personally and professionally.
At The Hamlet Veterinary Hospital, we are taking preventive measures to ensure everyone safety. We continue to offer the care your pets need, while providing you and our staff a safe environment.
As always, we rigorously follow infection prevention, control and associate hygiene best practices in our hospital. We have increased both the frequency and scope of hospital cleaning and disinfecting to help ensure both clients and associates are kept safe.
Currently, there is no indication that dogs or cats will become clinically infected with COVID-19, so your family pets are safe. What we don’t know yet is whether they can possibly become carriers of the virus from person to person. So far there is no scientific proof that pets could become carriers or get sick from COVID-19.
To help us continue to serve pets in need, we ask that clients who have traveled in the past 14 days to a high-risk country, had any exposure to symptomatic or confirmed positive cases, or confirmed positive themselves inform our staff and not come in our hospital if this is not a medical emergency.
If your pet is having a medical emergency or requires urgent care, please call ahead and inform our staff that you are at-risk or positive for COVID-19. We will determine the best method to ensure that your pet can receive the care they need while minimizing the risk to our associates and other clients. We may be able to receive your pet through a family member or friend who has not been exposed to you, or receive your pet directly from a vehicle, but this decision needs to be in consultation with our hospital team.
If you have flu-like or respiratory symptoms (fever, coughing, or shortness of breath), we recommend first calling Ottawa Public health for advice, then contacting us to reschedule your pet’s non-emergency appointments.
Please note, our hospital is fully operational, and our team is here to offer our usual services.
While in the hospital, please maintain a distance of 1-2 meter of space between you and other people and pets (whenever possible).
Limiting the number of people who accompany each pet to the hospital, and minimizing the time spent in the waiting area is also recommended.
We encourage everyone to follow the Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association for the most up-to-date and accurate information about COVID-19.
We understand and share your concerns about COVID-19. Please rest assured we are monitoring the situation closely and the safety of our staff, patients and clients are our priority.
Do not hesitate to contact your hospital if you have questions or concerns.
