UPDATED NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19 at March 20th 2021

We are making every effort to do our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus and we urge our clients to do the same. We also plan to continue delivering the best possible service in line with the most up to date advice from the HSE.

There is currently no indication that the COVID-19 virus can be incubated or spread by pets and we would like to reassure you that we are keeping up to date with any new evidence as it emerges.

Having examined the various risks it is clear that it is important to reduce the numbers of people mixing while waiting for appointments of medications. As such we have instituted the following rules with immediate effect:

• All visits should be by appointment only. Please do not come down without calling first. We will see emergencies as fast as we possibly can, as ever, but please call us first.  We will be leaving a gap between appointments so as to reduce the in-out flow. This may mean we will have somewhat less capacity – please understand if you cannot be seen at the time you prefer.

• When you arrive for your appointment please come to our reception window located at the side of the building to check-in – please note which car park space you are in and let the staff know. When we are ready to see you a vet/nurse will come out to you so please remain by your car. Your pet will be taken from you and taken inside for assessment – the vet will either speak with you outside or by phone to discuss your concerns regarding their health.

• If you have children – please do not bring them. We love having families in with their little pets but until this crisis has passed it’s best children do not attend. If you must bring your children with you – which is of course understandable if they cannot be left at home alone – please keep them in the car. Call reception when you arrive and we will come out to you when we are ready. .

• If you have a puppy or kitten please contact us to make an appointment for a health check and vaccination as these will be prioritised ahead of regular booster vaccinations.

• For repeat medications (including flea and worm treatments) and for pet food please order them online and where possible please give us 48 hours notice. Of course if you do need your medication or food sooner than this please call the clinic and we will do everything we can to have your order ready. Please note a vet will need to approve all prescription medications so please try to give us notice so that you will not have any delay when you come to collect your medication.

• When you arrive to collect medication/food please come to the reception window at the side of the building as you drive in where we can take payment and dispense your medication or food.

• If you are unable to come in – be it that you are unwell or you wish to self-isolate – we will do everything we can to help. Call us and we will look after you and your pet as best we can – this may mean a video consultation to assess if your pet can be prescribed medication or if they need to come down to the clinic for further assessment and treatment.

• If you are facing financial difficulties due to reduced income during this period and your pet is unwell – please call us, we will do all we can to look after you and your pets during this time.

• Please please please be patient with our brilliant and caring staff if there are delays, we are all doing our best but all of these extra precautions are going to slow up things a little. 

To conclude – we will get through this. The steps our government is taking and the advice being given is excellent and is based on the best scientific information available, so please do what we are advised by those who know. 

We will look after each other, we will be kind to each other, we will do all that we have to do to protect the vulnerable. If we all stick together and do what we are advised life will get back to normal in the medium term. Never in any of our lifetimes have we faced anything like this but never in the history of humankind have we been better able to rapidly find a cure and develop a vaccine for a pandemic like this. 

It will get better, we will mind each other and we will persevere.

Your sincerely,

All the team at Cottage Vet Clinic