Holiday Departures
If you’re planning to travel during the holidays, here are some tips to prepare for you and your animal companions:
1. Pet Care:
Pet sitter vs. boarding vs. pet travel. All of these are stressful to pets in their own way. Think long and hard about which option would be the least stressful for your personal pets. Some pets would prefer to travel with you rather than have the stress of being left behind. Others may find a car or plane trip to be the absolute worst, and they would prefer to spend their time with their human pals at their favorite boarding facility. When considering boarding facilities, remember that Alameda Pet Hospital offers boarding for your happy healthy dogs and cats!! Boarding a sick pet is never advised. If you have an ill or geriatric pet, it is suggested to stay home with them, as the stress of your departure can have strange effects on the body and may exacerbate their deterioration. Always have a solid emergency contact if you leave your pet behind on your travels, and be prepared that you may get that phone call to come home early.
Meet and greet. Getting your pet familiar with their upcoming holiday arrangements is always best. If using a pet sitter, ensure your pet knows this person and gets used to them prior to your departure. Boarding facilities often have a test-run to ensure they are a good match for boarding. Some animals will injure themselves or not eat due to stress, so it’s best to know this ahead of time and to plan for a better arrangement.
Plan ahead. Pet boarding facilities and pet sitters book up quickly, so make your plans early.
Microchipping. Ensure your pet is microchipped and that the microchip is easily read, in case they run away during your travels. Vet hospitals and shelters will happily scan your pet’s microchip for free if you stop by, to ensure they it can be read effectively.
2. Sedatives/Anxiolytics: Pets often feel the stress of travel and the holidays, just like humans, so speak with your vet about medications to ease the anxiety. A little bit of medication can help offset negative health side-effects associated with stress.
3. Contact Information: For pet sitters, provide your contact details, your vet’s contact information, and an emergency contact. Be sure you are traveling to an area with good cell phone service, in case an emergency with your pet should arise. Vets often require verbal authorization for pet treatment.
4. Daily Routine: Outline feeding times, amounts, walking schedules, and any specific routines. Keep routines consistent. If your pet is on medications, provide specific instructions on these medications and what to do if your pet sitter cannot administer the medications successfully.
5. Car Travel: Remember to use a pet seatbelt or a secure carrier to keep your pet safe. NEVER leave your pet alone in the car. It only takes a few minutes for temperatures to shift drastically in a car, even when the outside ambient temperature feels okay.
6. Plane Travel: Check with your airline for pet travel regulations, fees, and restrictions. Some airlines require a health certificate for travel, and not all veterinarians offer this service. Opt for direct flights to minimize stress and potential mishandling during layovers. Whenever possible, keep your pet in the cabin with you. If your pet must travel below in the plane, be aware of potential extreme temperature shifts on board and in the airport loading area. Check the weather prior to travel! Pets can die in extreme temperatures, and it is never worth the risk. If an airline requires your veterinarian to sign an affidavit assuring pet survival in extreme temperatures, most vets will feel pressured and uneasy with this verbiage and WILL NOT sign off on this. Be prepared for this scenario.
ALWAYS be an advocate for your pets. One of our joys as humans is picking and choosing which humans we want to spend our time with. Choosing our pets over other humans is 100% okay. Our pets regard us as their entire world. We owe it to them to protect them and make our decisions with them always in mind.
Boarding at Alameda Pet Hospital
Alameda Pet Hospital offers boarding for happy healthy dogs and cats. Our amazing kennel team loves and cares for your pets while you take time away to rest and relax. We also offer day-boarding. Our large, fenced backyard and one-on-one time with our caring team means your pet is getting tons of attention during their stay with us
Boarding pets must be established clients of Alameda Pet Hospital, and they must be current on their examination and vaccinations for boarding. Our staff will also perform a temperament test on new boarders or boarders who haven’t stayed with us for over one year. This is for their well-being, as we want to be sure they eat and drink properly during their stay and aren’t at risk of any self-harm due to stress. Extended stays and pets with ailments may be declined, as our boarding outfit focuses on healthy pets that are good boarding candidates.
Our team really gets to know your pet, and we do have our veterinary team available, should any surprise ailments or concerns surface during their stay.
Feel free to reach out to us for more information!
Our entire staff at Alameda Pet Hospital is proud to announce that we have passed our AAHA accreditation! Our hospital has been accredited for the past 19 years!
AAHA Accreditation for Veterinary Practices
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation is a prestigious designation that certifies veterinary practices for meeting high standards of excellence. This accreditation is awarded to veterinary hospitals that successfully demonstrate adherence to over 900 standards, encompassing all aspects of veterinary practice.
The Benefits of Choosing an AAHA-Accredited Veterinary Hospital
1. Superior Care. Accredited hospitals are evaluated on stringent standards covering patient care, pain management, surgery, pharmacy, laboratory, exam facilities, medical records, and cleanliness.
2. Veterinary Team Excellence. The accreditation process encourages veterinary teams to adhere to best practices, engage in continuous learning, and remain updated on the latest advancements in veterinary medicine.
3. Trust and Assurance. Pet owners can feel confident knowing their pets are receiving care from a hospital that has been thoroughly vetted by an independent, third-party organization.
4. Comprehensive Services. Many AAHA-accredited hospitals offer a wide range of services under one roof, providing convenience and continuity of care for pet owners. For services not provided within the boundaries of our hospital, we are able to provide our clients top-notch recommendations for specialty services at other local practices.
How to Find an AAHA-Accredited Veterinary Hospital
If you need to find an AAHA-accredited hospital near you, visit the AAHA website’s “Hospital Locator” tool. Simply enter your location to access a list of nearby accredited facilities. When visiting a hospital that is AAHA-accredited, look for the AAHA logo. Veterinary hospitals that have successfully passed the accreditation process are very happy to display this placard within the building and on their website.
When you choose AAHA accreditation, you choose peace of mind for both you and your furry family members.
Appointments
Our lobby is now open for anyone not experiencing respiratory symptoms. If you or your pet are coughing, sneezing, have nasal discharge, or other cold, flu, or COVID-like symptoms, please call or text us at 510-523-1626 (option 1 if calling) to let us know you are here for your appointment and we will assist you curbside. Be sure to include your first name, last name, and your pet’s name. Everyone else is welcome to come inside and we will be with you as soon as we can.
Exams & Non-Urgent Questions
To schedule a non-urgent appointment, please text us to request an appointment. IF YOUR PET IS HAVING AN URGENT MEDICAL ISSUE, PLEASE CALL US AND CHOOSE OPTION 2 FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
We require 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment to ensure we are able to provide care for as many patients as possible. If less than 24 hours is provided, there may be a late cancellation/no-show fee, even if we reschedule the appointment. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
New clients are required to pay a deposit for the first exam for each pet. If less than 24-hour notice is given to cancel or reschedule the first visit, the deposit will be waived. If more than 24-hour notice is received, the deposit will be applied to the first exam.
Prescription Refills
Prescription food and medication refills may be called in or texted to 510-523-1626 (option 3 if calling). Please allow at least 2 business days to process refills. If the medication or food is a special order, we will let you know when it is available for pick up. If the prescription is from another pharmacy, including online, please let us know and allow a week to process since we need to get doctor approval. We appreciate your patience.
Coronavirus Information
For the very latest information on COVID-19, you can check these sites:
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WHO – World Health Organization
WSAVA – World Small Animal Veterinary Association
If you need veterinary care for birds, reptiles, or small mammals, click here for Dr. Granzow’s list of local exotic vets.
Office Hours
We will be closed for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 28. We will be open on Friday the 29th.
Monday – Friday:
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Our reception area will be closed daily from 12:30 – 2:00 pm for training and lunch breaks.
Boarding at Alameda Pet Hospital
Did you know that Alameda Pet Hospital offers boarding for your happy healthy dogs and cats?
Dogs love our large outdoor garden and all pets enjoy one-on-one time with our caring kennel team. Check us out!
Contact Us
(510) 523-1626
alamedapetstaff@gmail.com
Alameda Pet Hospital
2275 Buena Vista Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
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