COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Updated Safety Procedures for "Reopening"

To our valued clients,

COVID-19 has changed the way everything is working right now, and Bellalago Veterinary Hospital has not been an exception.  We have been exhaustively working to ensure that we are here and able to provide your pets the veterinary care they need.  To that end, we’ve had to adopt some temporary procedural changes to ensure that everyone is safe – you, our patients, and our team!

Curbside Concierge Service - When you come for your appointment or to purchase medications and diet, please stay in your car and call to alert us to your arrival (407-847-0802).  A team member will bring your diet, medications, or supplements out to you and collect your payment at your car.  If your pet has an appointment, a nurse will meet you at your car to receive your pet.  Your veterinary team will take your pet’s paperwork, medical history, discuss findings, and treatment options at your vehicle or using FaceTime or Skype while we examine your pet.  Pets may also be dropped off for their appointment if that is more convenient.  Once the appointment is completed, we will take payment as needed (right at your vehicle!) and you and your pet will be on their way. 

Enhanced Cleaning & Disinfection – As an AAHA-accredited hospital, we already met the industry’s highest standards in cleaning.  We’ve stepped up these already industry-leading protocols to further ensure safety.  Our hospital uses human-hospital grade cleaners to clean all surfaces, door handles, clipboards, pens, and other items that are handled in addition to our normal cleaning protocols.

Handwashing – Our team has always washed their hands before and after handling any pet.  Our team is now washing our hands even more often!  In addition, our team is using hospital-grade jellied alcohol and dispensers have been set up throughout the hospital to ensure that our team can disinfect their hands frequently. 

Team Health Screenings – We check our team’s temperature and for symptoms at the start for each shift.  We continue to monitor our team throughout the day for any symptoms of illness.

Client-Exposure Questions – We screen clients to identify if there is any risk of the client or their pet exposing us to COVID-19.  By following this CDC recommendation, we’re able to better protect against possible animal transmission of COVID-19 (called SARS-CoV-2) and better conserve PPE.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Our team is required to wear facemasks whenever within 6 feet of another person.  We also require them to use PPE in accordance with CDC and AAHA recommendations.  Veterinary hospitals have had great issues getting adequate PPE as it has been all allocated for human need.  By practicing these measures, we’re able to ensure that PPE is not wasted!

Know that we are taking every possible precaution to ensure the safety of our team, our clients, and the animals under our care. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 407-847-0802 or [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, and we hope to return to normal operations as soon as possible.

The Team at Bellalago Veterinary Hospital