Keeping pet care accessible

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By Emma Swanson Times Reporter

Some Strathmore animal care facilities have implemented new services and policies to ensure accessibility to pet care amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Animal Care Centre of Strathmore has implemented a free service to deliver animal food, medication and supplies to clients who are unable to make in-person pick-ups due to COVID-19.
“We want to ensure that our communities are able to self-isolate and quarantine when they are expected to and not have to worry about their pet’s needs and have that added stress,” said Chelsey Chevrier, a registered veterinary technician (RVT) and medical manager at the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore.
Chevrier said the free delivery service “enables our clients to receive their pet’s important medical supplies and food” and “keeps our team safe and able to continue offering essential veterinary services to those animals in need.
“It helps our clients in self isolation and quarantine, and reduces the risk of COVID-19 spread to our communities,” she added.
The free delivery service is offered to clients in Strathmore, Chestermere, Langdon and Rockyford areas.
Clients can place and pre-pay for their orders through the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore.
Orders are delivered to the homes of clients; clients are then notified of the delivery by text message to ensure no contact.
“The deliveries can take up to a few days to get the supplies in and schedule a date,” and so the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore “requests a few days’ notice,” said Chevrier.
For order information, the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore can be contacted at 403-901-1800.
At the Alpine View Pet Spa, they have enforced a closed-door policy due to COVID-19; however, their pet grooming and day-care services are still available.
“We’re an essential service that’s geared towards being there for people,” said Kyla Janes, owner of Alpine View Pet Spa.
“The biggest thing is that we’re still open to care for people’s dogs, especially dogs that are going stir crazy from being inside,” said Janes. “Everything will be sanitized with vet-approved procedures” including a “wipe down of the dog’s coat.”
Other procedures that adhere to the new closed-door policy include clients leaving their pet and crate at the front door of Alpine View Pet Spa.
The pet and crate are retrieved by staff once the client returns to their vehicle; medication and food may also be placed in the crate, said Janes.
Along with Alpine View Pet Spa, Janes also operates Rescued Paws, a rescue dog organization that is “still available by appointment,” said Janes.
“When people are home in isolation, they want to have a dog to hang out with for the night,” said Janes. “Animals are really good for rehabilitating depression; dogs in general help with isolation issues and always make a house happier.”
All Rescued Paws rescue dogs are currently in foster homes. Janes said since the COVID-19 pandemic, more fostering homes have become available.
For services and Rescued Paws rescue dog adoptions, the Alpine View Pet Spa can be contacted at 403-934-6635.