By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
A new Grey Bruce-area service offering urgent and emergency pet care on weekends and statutory holidays is now available to local cats and dogs. The Bluewater Veterinary Emergency Clinic (BVEC) operates from Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 6 a.m. and also offers 24-hour care on statutory holidays. BVEC is closed on weekdays.
It is important to note this service is for urgent care issues for cats and dogs only, and is not for routine medical procedures. The service is also available to those without a vet. Any pet owner can call the clinic directly. However, it is strongly recommended for those with Veterinary services call their vet clinic first and follow the instructions on the phone message.
Currently, when calling your vet clinic after regular operating hours, pet owners will often be directed to the telehealth service Smart Vet. An Ontario Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) assesses the urgency of your pet’s situation and determines the avenue for care. If your pet is directed to BVEC by Smart Vet or if you contacted BVEC directly, there is still a triage process in place to decide on the urgency of seeing your pet.
After arrival, the emergency clinic will take your pet details, will assess your pet’s health issue, and discuss the proposed treatment plan with you. If you decide to accept the treatment plan, you will be expected to pay a deposit before any treatment is given. You are advised to bring your current veterinarian’s information if you have one, so your pet’s treatment records can be sent to your regular clinic for follow-up.
If your regular veterinarian has decided that your pet requires supervised hospital care over the weekend and/or on a statutory holiday, they could send your pet to BVEC for further care.
Collaboration of 20 local vets
BVEC operates out of the North Heritage Animal Hospital facility but is a separate entity. It is a cooperative of 20 local veterinary professionals, who are all shareholders. The service is run by a Board of six veterinarians. All shareholders are obligated to work a shift in a month. BVEC was formed to respond to the demand for after hours emergency pet care in Grey and Bruce Counties.
Contact info:
Bluewater Veterinary Emergency Clinic (BVEC)
• 285 10th Street West, Owen Sound
• Telephone: 519 964 0949
• Hours of operation: Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 6 a.m., 24 hours throughout weekends and statutory holidays.