Updated 5/5/2020

Dear PAWS Veterinary Center Families,

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, your team at PAWS will continue our protocol adjustments to ensure the continued safety of our clients, staff, and patients. We will make every effort to continue to provide high quality medicine to your beloved cats and dogs during this global health crisis. At this time, veterinary care for your pets is considered an “essential service” in the State of Arizona, and we intend to do everything possible to keep stay open during this pandemic.

Cleaning & Disinfecting
While you cannot enjoy coffee on our patio, lobby, or exam rooms right now, we are continuing our hourly disinfection protocols of our treatment area, workstations, kitchen, and common areas to keep our staff healthy and safe at work.  We have always actively cleaned and disinfected the hospital, and we have continued doubling down on these efforts.

Canceling Your Pet’s Appointment
PAWS will be waiving any no-show or cancellation fees until further notice. As always, if you cannot keep your pet’s scheduled appointment, please call us with as much notice as possible, so that we have the opportunity to see another sick pet at that time.

Feeling Ill?
If you have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, or difficulty breathing, we ask that you reschedule your pet’s appointment.

Please do not come into the office if you are currently quarantined, actively sick, or have been exposed to Coronavirus. Delay routine care items until you are well. If your pet is sick, we will provide as much care as possible. We will ask that you send a friend, family member, or neighbor to bring your sick pet in for treatment, and we will contact you over the phone. Please let the staff know when scheduling the appointment if you have been exposed to Coronavirus, are sick, or are under active quarantine.

Checking In & Curbside Service
Please fill out your pet’s Digital Patient History Form before your appointment to provide important health details to their veterinary team.

When you arrive for your visit at PAWS, we ask that you call or text us at (520) 888-7297 to let us know you have arrived. We will ask you to wait in your car for the duration of your pet’s visit.

We ask that you please limit the number of people per visit to 1 adult (over 18 years of age) who is listed as an Owner on your pet’s medical chart.

The same routine should be applied to pickups of your pet’s medication or food — call us to pay via credit card over the phone and we will bring your purchases to your vehicle.

During Your Pet’s Exam
Your pet’s technician will come to your vehicle and take your pet inside (inside their carrier for cats or small dogs, or double-leashed with a sanitized slip lead for dogs). Our team is unable to get into your vehicle, so please do your best to assist us by getting your pet securely (on a leash or in a carrier) out of the car after you arrive.

Your pet’s veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination. Your pet’s veterinary team will contact you over the phone to collect additional history, or discuss the findings of your pet’s exam if needed. We will perform any approved treatments, then call you to pay via credit card over the phone, and discharge you from the parking lot. We want you and your pet to feel safe and cared for to the best of our abilities, as well as to protect our staff from possible exposure.

Pets On Long Term Medications
Please be sure you have medication supplies for at least 3 weeks. This includes cardiac, insulin, asthma and allergy medications, flea and tick preventatives, heartworm preventatives etc. Be sure you have a minimum of 3 weeks of dog and cat food, plus treats and cat litter.

For refills, call our main number, then choose the option for our dedicated refill line to request refills of your pet’s medications, or request them from your pet’s portal on VitusVet.

**Please keep in mind, PAWS has a 48 hour policy for refills. Our staff will be experiencing a high volume of calls and medication requests, so please keep this in mind and know that we are doing our best to get your pet’s medication approved and filled for you as quickly as possible.**

Human to Animal Virus Risk
American Veterinary Medical Association update as of 4/23/20, supported by guidance from the CDC and World Organization for Animal Health:

• Animal owners without symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to practice good hygiene during interactions with animals. This includes washing hands before and after such interactions and when handling animal food, waste, or supplies.
• Do not let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household.
• Keep cats indoors, when possible, to prevent them from interacting with other animals or people.
• Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet from other people and animals. Avoid dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather.
• Until more is known about the virus, those ill with COVID-19 should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. Have another member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets.  If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, including pets, then wear a cloth face covering; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them, and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.
• At this point in time, there is no evidence to suggest that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, that may be incidentally infected by humans play a role in the spread of COVID-19.
• Routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is NOT recommended. 
• Human outbreaks are driven by person-to-person transmission. Accordingly, we see no reason to remove pets from homes even if COVID-19 has been identified in members of the household, unless there is risk that the pet itself is not able to be cared for appropriately.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding, as these measures will surely increase wait and hold times for our valued clients. Together, we will work through this event. If you have any questions, please call or email us. As the situation is fluid, we will continue to provide updates as they are available.

Sincerely,
The Doctors and staff at PAWS Veterinary Center

PAWS Veterinary Center
300 E River Road
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520) 888-7297