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Staff holding a cat while wearing a face mask

Hospital and Covid-19 Policies

Update - Currently Limiting Acceptance of New Clients Effective as of May 25, 2022

For the foreseeable future we will be ONLY accepting a limited number of new clients based on each individual situation. 

Due to Doctor staffing shortages, the time we have has been significantly reduced, and we have made the decision to focus on our existing patients and clients. We did not come to this decision lightly and we feel that it is necessary in order to continue to provide the quality of care and service that our existing clients and patients deserve. 

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. Please contact us with any questions and inquiries that you may have.

Management,

Abbotsford Animal Hospital

UPDATE - Hours of Operation Changes Effective as of March 8, 2022

Dear Valued Clients,

We would like to announce the upcoming change.

As of May 8th, 2022, we will be closed on Sundays for all services.

This decision has not been made lightly and we assure you that it is a necessary step in providing ongoing and consistent service to our clients and the highest medical care to our patients.

We recently addressed in our clinic update email that there have been many challenges for the veterinary industry over the last couple of years. The shortage of available staff has affected many of our dedicated employees who have been striving to provide the same quality of medical care while working overtime and often short-staffed. To enable us to support the care of our patients, we must first support the care of our staff and their well-being, giving them some well-deserved time to recharge and recover from the stresses they face daily.

We are asking you, our clients, for your cooperation and understanding of this change.

Please keep it in mind, when placing orders for medications and/or food, we will remain open on Saturdays, until 3pm for pick up.

Many thanks to you, our clients, who have supported us during the changes we’ve made to better support you.

Management, Abbotsford Animal Hospital

UPDATE - Changes as per March 21, 2022

Due to COVID-19 restrictions being removed, we are updating our procedures and working toward getting back to normal as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible.

Effective March 21, 2022, regular appointments with the veterinarian may now be booked as an “in-person” Appointment. We will still offer Curbside Appointments for any client who is uncomfortable coming into the Clinic or wearing a mask. All clients will continue to call from the parking lot to check-in upon arrival.

For scheduled “In Person” appointments, clients will be asked over the phone to come to the front door to be escorted into the hospital and taken to one of our consulting rooms. 1 client per appointment, client must be masked to enter the premises and complete the COVID screening questions.

The following will remain the same until further notice. Technician, Grooming, Drop off, and Surgical Drop off appointments will continue to be curbside. For food and medication pickup, clients will continue to call ahead to order and use the drive thru window for pick up.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

Sincerely,

Elspeth Curran

Practice Manager

Abbotsford Animal Hospital

Clinic Update Letter - Changes are Coming!

As we look forward to gradually returning to a more historic form of client service, it is important to take the time to outline the ongoing challenges at Abbotsford Animal Hospital and indeed across the entire veterinary profession in Canada.

For many years, it has been anticipated that the availability of veterinary care would eventually not be able to meet public demand. Prior to COVID-19, the expected timing of this crisis was predicted to occur in the 2030s. However, with the impacts of COVID-19 on increased pet adoption and the increasing numbers of veterinary professionals leaving the industry, this dire situation has already developed now. For many months we at Abbotsford, and at all Veterinary care facilities, have struggled to care for our own well-being as well as those of our wonderful clients and patients. Availability of appointments, surgeries, referrals and after hour care have been vastly negatively impacted. 

In my recent communications with pet families, it has become clear that many are unaware of this situation and believe any challenges in receiving veterinary care were solely due to public health measures related to COVID-19. I am writing to you to apologize for the continued changes in the availability of veterinary care in Ontario and to request your kindness and understanding to our professionals at Abbotsford and any other veterinary care location you may rely on. 

With the easing of public health measures, veterinary clinics will gradually incorporate more “in person” care. However, this type of care is less efficient than “curbside” and is expected to decrease the number of pet’s being able to be cared for each day. It will be a difficult time to try to balance the improved relationships and communications that can come with “in person” appointments and the increase in appointment booking delays that will result from them.  As we plot the way forward, we will make gradual changes that will allow us to find the best practices attainable.

We will need your patience. I know that many of us are expectant and eager for a return to “normal”, and it is natural for frustration to occur when these expectations are not met or at least not met in the time frame desired. The veterinary professional community has experienced a dramatic increase in the amount of verbal and at times physical abuse from pet owners. Our excellent team at Abbotsford Animal Hospital has not been spared from this abuse. 

Currently, it is anticipated that the resolution of the lack of veterinary care professionals will not be seen until 2040. Although it is my hope that with the many minds and hands that are working on this we can resolve this sooner but this will not be fixed soon.  We will require your help in finding solutions and helping to find ways for us to stay resilient for you and your furry family member.

Sincerely,

Dr. Derek Clark

Managing Veterinarian

Abbotsford Animal Hospital

UPDATE - Changes effective as of May 19, 2020

We are still open and continue to operate as the COVID-19 situation unfolds. The Ontario government has announced the first stage of its reopening process. This allows us to expand our services beyond urgent care. Grooming has now restarted.

We are continuing to operate a closed-door policy. We are not allowing clients into our hospital for the health and safety of our patients, clients, and our team. This allows us to adhere to physical distancing as best we can due to the close contact that our work requires. See our previous update to see how this works.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

From our family to yours please stay safe!

UPDATE - Changes effective as of March 24, 2020

​Veterinarians are considered an essential service in the current health crisis and will continue to operate as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.

We are still open, however, we have implemented a Closed-Door Policy - we are not allowing clients into our hospital to help with the prevention and spread of Covid-19. We are working to remain open and operate under these ever-changing conditions. The safety of our team, patients, and clients is our top priority.

Please remain in your vehicle. When you arrive call us at 905-727-7379. One of our team members will bring your pet into the hospital for an examination with the veterinarian. The veterinarian will call you and discuss with you their findings. They will email you an estimate and ask for a reply back via email or a verbal authorization of the treatment plan. We ask that payment be done over the phone for services, food and medications. We may ask you to drive up to our Drive Thru or stay in your car in the parking lot and a team member will then return with your pet to your vehicle.

Please be patient. Due to these new implemented changes, there may be longer wait times. We have had an increase in call volume as well and are trying to continue to give the best service to our clients and our patients.

Ordering food or medications. Please allow 5-7 business days as our suppliers are dealing with a greatly increased demand and are trying to fill orders as quickly as possible. We will call you as soon as your order arrives and ask payment over the phone. Please call us when you arrive to pick up your order at the Drive Thru. Our staff will pass you the items via our Drive Thru to minimize risk exposure.

IF YOU HAVE TRAVELLED OUT OF THE COUNTRY IN THE LAST 14 DAYS OR HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH A COVID-19 POSITIVE PERSON OR ARE EXHIBITING ANY SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 OR ARE UNWELL and your pet needs medical attention. Please have someone else bring your pet to see us.