Preparing for an emergency – you’ll be glad you did!
by Central Cat Hospital
Emergencies tend to happen when we least expect them. Make your life easier by being prepared. Here are some basics to get you started:
Have your local animal control and humane society phone numbers ready. In case of a road-side accident involving an animal, or if you find injured wildlife, contact animal control. In cases of suspected abuse contact your local humane society. Should your pet go missing, visit both of these facilities daily if possible. Some additional phone numbers:
Your veterinary clinic. Your veterinary healthcare team is your best resource if you are experiencing a pet emergency and are unsure what to do. Call first!
Veterinary emergency clinic
Pet Poison Helpline : 1-800-213-6680
Pet transport service
Shelter or pet friendly hotel
Keep your pet’s tags and microchip information current! Please remember to update your contact information whenever this changes.
Have a current list of your pet’s medication as well as any medical records you may have and proof of vaccination
For diabetic pets – keep a bottle of corn syrup on hand. If blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia) this can be a medical emergency. Signs are decline in energy levels, unsteady gait, weakness and tremors which can be life threatening. If any of these signs are noticed, rub corn syrup on your cat’s gums and offer food. DO NOT administer insulin. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
Make sure you have a secure form of transportation for your cat that you can grab and go if an emergency evacuation is in order. Sturdy hard sided carriers that open from the top work well. Set aside a large towel or blanket that you can use as bedding for the carrier. You can also use a towel as a form of restraint by wrapping it around the cat.
Use caution when handling a frightened pet – their behaviour can change and they can become aggressive if they are feeling cornered, scared or experiencing pain.
Use emergency pet rescue stickers. These window decals alert rescue workers to the presence of animals in your home. Pick yours up next time you’re at the clinic – free of charge!
Due to covid-19, we have implemented protocols to keep both our clients and staff safe. The veterinary profession has been under tremendous strain throughout the pandemic due to severe staff shortages, so we’ve taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of our hospital. Our staff is a very small group, some being immunocompromised and at a greater risk. If any of our staff did get sick, we would have to close our doors completely, and we would no longer be available for any sick cats or emergencies.
Because of the small size of our hospital, it is difficult to keep a safe distance while keeping the highest standard of cleanliness, and therefore, we are not able to have human parents into our facilities at this time.
We will remain “curbside” until we are comfortable, and can ensure we are able to stay open for our patients. We’ve been doing our very best to avoid a closure as remaining open for our patients is our top priority.
We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and we know this can be difficult to be away from your beloved cat. We are a feline friendly clinic that focuses on a stress-free environment for our feline patients making it as enjoyable as possible. Our kennel staff will stay with your kitty and give them lots of love throughout their visit.
With mask mandates ending, we will still be requiring masks to be worn.
We ask that you please wear a properly fitting mask, and it must remain on the entire duration while speaking with staff outdoors and indoors.
We ask that everyone please remain respectful to our staff, and our hospital policies. We are doing our best to navigate these unprecedented times, and we are adjusting our policies as we deem safe to do so. We have a zero tolerance for any disrespectful behavior.
We thank you for your understanding and kindness during these difficult times.
Our Hours are Monday - Friday 8 am - 5pm Saturday 9 am - 1 pm
