Effective March 12th, 2020, Updated December 1, 2020
Hi everyone.
In light of COVID-19, I want to share some protocols we have enacted effective immediately for Angel Pets that may affect you. We have been getting a lot of new client calls because the chance of spread is less for a home visit versus a clinic visit. This may be true, but we can only ensure that we are around if we are sticklers for hygiene and social distancing. With COVID-19 now being in Hampton Roads, more cases are surely coming. The more we can do now, the more we can slow down the spread and give our elderly and immunocompromised clients (and family members) the best shot at beating, or better yet avoiding, this virus. In my opinion, enacting these measures is our civic duty to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
Our main goals:
1. Don’t get COVID-19.
2. Don’t give COVID-19.
Protocol changes:
1. If you or a family member are sick, even if it is just the sniffles, or if you are quarantined, please reschedule your appointment. If this is not possible or your pet’s condition is dire - we will do what we can to help , but will need to make appropriate arrangements and use precautions. Our doctors will be wearing masks when we visit the home, and we are requiring that our families wear masks as well.
2. If one of our staff members is sick, she will not go into your house.
3. We will maintain a 6-foot distance between a client’s two-legged family members and ourselves. This is in the spirit of “social distancing” that is recommended by the CDC to curtail the spread of this virus. We realize this is awkward and we hate it, as we tend to be hugging-type people, especially in times of letting a fur baby cross, but this is very important.
4. At this time, due ot the increase of Covid cases in Hampton Roads, we are requiring that canine appointments take place either outside, a covered, porch, a sunroom, patio or in a garage.
5. Cat appointments will likely need to take place inside because, well, cats....But it is important to have your cat isolated in an area that we can get to your cat easily and quickly . No “cat wild goose chases” will occur.
6. We may ask that you throw away the trash we create during our appointment (except needles of course) to reduce the risk of contamination.
7. We may call you the morning of your appointment or at your appointment time to get a history and talk about your concerns, prior to our entry to your home. We may also elect to call you after we examine your animal to discuss the plan/treatment for consultation cases. Again, to minimize contact and exposure.
8. We will only be bringing in what we need – no medical bags, equipment, etc. that isn’t necessary.
9. To keep things brief, and minimize electronics going in/out of homes, we will collect billing info prior to the appointment. Payment will be processed remotely and electronically at conclusion of the appointment.
10. Please have soap available if we need it. Usually, we will keep soap/water in addition to hand sanitizer in our vehicles.
While this may seem “excessive ” to some, I want to err on the side of over-preparing than under-preparing. If you don’t feel that you would like to adhere to these protocols, we do respect that and can provide you info on other providers. I hope you understand that we are doing this so that we can ensure that we are around to help your animals if and when we are needed while also minimizing the spread of the virus to our most vulnerable human population. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Melanie Cohen
Owner, Veterinarian
Angel Pets
If you have any concerns, or have a pet that is in need of palliative or end of life care, please reach out at:
757-774- 7040
Please take note of recent protocol changes concerning COVID-19.
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