Dear Clients/ Friends of City Pets Animal Clinic,

We here at City Pets Animal Clinic wanted to let you know what we are doing in response to the threat of the infectious disease COVID-19. We are committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to keep you safe, while at the same time doing everything we can to ensure your pet’s health care needs and dietary needs are met.

We are following Public Health Recommendations with respect to the Reduction of Transmission of the virus COVID-19. Reducing infection is extremely important, not only to keep all of our clients safe, but also to mitigate the strain on our Health Care Workers and the supplies they require to treat all people who require health care for any reason. This means asking our clients who have any symptoms that are possibly associated with the COVID-19 virus, as well as anyone who has travelled internationally in the past 14 days, or anyone who suspects that they may have come in contact with the disease, to avoid coming into the clinic. Please call us and we will help to meet your needs without coming in (more on that below).

To protect you at the clinic we will be disinfecting all surfaces after each use, this includes point-of-sale machines, counter surfaces, doorhandles, computer keyboards as well as all examination surfaces. A sink for hand washing is available. Tissues will be available to cover your mouth and nose if you do need to cough or sneeze. We also have a medical grade air purification system that destroys viruses.

 

IF YOU ARE UNABLE OR PREFER NOT TO COME INTO THE CLINIC PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE CAN SET UP PHONE OR VIDEO CONSULTS AS NECESSARY

 

If your pet does have an emergent medical problem and you yourself are concerned you are possibly infected or have come in contact with the virus, please call us (250-370-1950) or contact Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital (250-475-2495) in advance of bringing your pet in, so that we may take all necessary precautions to prevent potential exposure of staff and other clients to the virus.

With respect to pets and the transmission risk of COVID-19, there is presently no known risk of COVID-19 being infectious to pets as well as no evidence to suggest that dogs or cats can be a source of infection. Infectious disease experts, as well as the CDC, OIE, and WHO indicate there is no evidence to suggest that pet dogs or cats can be a source of infection with SARS-CoV-2, including spreading COVID-19 to people. The link below discusses one dog in Hong Kong who was found to have weak positive test with no signs of illness.

https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/covid-19-faq-pet-owners.pdf

It still seems prudent that if you or a family member has, or suspects they may have, COVID-19 they should avoid allowing a pet to lick their face or the face of others and to wash their hands well if the pet licks their hands or they handle the pet’s mouth, urine or feces. More investigation is underway and as we learn more, we will update you.

 

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE SHOPPING AVAILABLE

FOR FOOD AND PRODUCT PURCHASES

 

Any of our products can be ordered online at https://www.myvetstore.ca/citypets.  You will need to sign up for your account at this web address. If you require assistance with setting up your on-line account, please call us, or send us and email, and we will contact you. If you do not see a product you would like to purchase please let us know.

Products ordered on-line can be delivered to your door directly with the exception of prescriptions. Payment is completed online, so contact with the delivery person is not necessary. Prescriptions can be ordered on-line, however if delivery is required, you will need to arrange this by calling us. Product and prescription orders placed online can also be picked up in store.

It is so important for everyone to take every precaution now before the disease is spreading at a rapid pace. We want you all to be safe and healthy and happy!

Dr. Kelli Mulley and the team at City Pets

 

Useful Links

BC Centre for Disease Control
http://www.bccdc.ca

BC Health
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health

VIHA
https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/diseases-conditions/novel-coronavirus-information

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019