SAFETY PROTOCOL REGARDING COVID-19 

Effective March 1, 2024

Thank you for trusting Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care. Our goal is to stay healthy so we can continue to care for your pets. We appreciate your cooperation, understanding, and patience with the following policies:

You must be healthy to bring your pet to the hospital. 

Please stay home and away from others if you have respiratory virus symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.  If you are exhibiting any symptoms of respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, or have tested positive for any respiratory illness, please reschedule your routine appointment if a healthy person cannot bring your pet for you.  If your pet must be seen on emergency basis, please stay home and send your pet with a healthy person. 

You can bring your pet if, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medications).  Continue to take precautions over the next 5 days, including wearing a mask.  You are still able to spread the virus even if you are feeling better. 

What to Expect When You Arrive for Emergency

  • Park: Please pull into a parking spot. Each parking spot is numbered.
  • Please call when you arrive, 207-878-3121, option 1, and let us know you are here.   
  • Or, you may enter through the double-door and check in at the front desk. 
  • Fill out the form:  The client service representative (CSR) will hand you a clipboard with a client information sheet.  The form can also be found on our website, pvesc.com.
  • The triage technician will assess your pet while you are in the building.  You may be asked to go back to your car, depending on the status of the patients in the ER at that time.
  • It is important for you to keep your mobile phone with you, and please do not make any calls, so you can answer when we attempt to reach you through mobile communication. The technician will call when it is time to come back in the building.
  • The technician will bring you into an exam room and get vitals and history on your pet.  The doctor will be alerted your pet is ready to be seen.
  • If your pet is receiving diagnostics or treatments, you may be asked to leave the exam room so we may continue to triage other pets.
  • Masking: Masks are optional but remain highly recommended and may still be required on a case-by-case basis. Please be respectful of the requests from the individual providing your pet’s care.
  • Curbside Option: Please alert the staff to your preference if you would prefer a curbside appointment
  • Payments: Payment will be taken in person or over the phone (credit card, Care Credit, Scratch Pay). If you wish to pay by cash, please let the CSR know. Your invoice will be emailed to you, or printed upon request.  Checks are not accepted. Please be aware, a 50% (fifty percent) deposit is required for the higher end of the estimate. The deposit must be taken prior to diagnostics and treatments being performed.

What to Expect When You Arrive for Specialty or Surgery Appointment

  • Park: Please pull into a parking space and stay in your car. Each parking spot is numbered.
  • Call: Call us at 207-878-3121, option 2 for scheduled surgery, option 3 for dermatology, option 4 for internal medicine, oncology, neurology, and cardiology. Tell the client service representative (CSR) your name, your pet’s name, the reason for visit, your mobile phone number, and your parking spot number or car description.
  • Fill out the form: The CSR will ask you if you have completed the online Client Information Sheet. If you have not filled out the form, you can do so online, or a printed version is available inside the building. 
  • Await our call: It is important for you to keep your mobile phone with you, and please do not make any calls, so you can answer when we attempt to reach you through mobile communication. The technician assigned to your pet will call you to acquire a thorough history for your visit. At that time, if warranted, they will discuss our current safety protocol regarding COVID-19.
  • Masking: Masks are optional and may still be required on a case-by-case basis. Please be respectful of the requests from the individual providing your pet’s care.
  • Curbside Option: Please alert the staff to your preference if you would prefer a curbside appointment.
  • Bring your pet into the building: Once your exam room is ready, the technician will call you and ask you to bring your pet inside the building.
    • Warren Avenue location, please enter through the door to the left under the tan awning for specialty services, and enter through the central double door for surgical services. 
    • Congress Street location, enter through the main door.  
    • After the initial exam you may be asked to return to your car while your pet receives diagnostics or treatments.
  • Payments: Payment will be taken in person or over the phone (credit card, Care Credit, Scratch Pay). If you wish to pay by cash, please let the CSR know. Your invoice will be emailed to you, or printed upon request.  Checks are not accepted. Please be aware, a 50% (fifty percent) deposit is required for the higher end of the estimate. The deposit must be taken prior to diagnostics and treatment being performed.