Gone, for now, are the days of waiting inside many veterinary clinics. People are urged to call ahead, because many services are curbside.

"It's a lot more time for staff to go out to the car to get pets and get a history intake, and then come in, get the whole animal worked up, all get the treatments done, get everything typed up, have them go back out for payment. A lot of clients are very frustrated with it which I understand. We are frustrated with it too," said Clinton Pet veterinarian Jessica Price.


What You Need To Know


  • Many veterinary clinics have taken services curb-side during COVID-19

  • One vet seeing a higher number of emergencies

  • Clinton Pet Vet Rescue has many older cats available for adoption

Price says there's a "tremendous amount" of emergencies now and has some theories as to why.

"When they have more time to spend with their pets, it's more things like, 'Well let's go out for a hike,' and then somebody gets an injury or 'We're gonna have a cookout. Let's have some hot dogs,' and then they come in sick that way, too. So I've seen a lot of vomiting, diarrhea lately, a lot of injuries," she said.

With the changes, the Clinton Pet Vet Rescue and Sanctuary needs donations and is at max capacity with cats. Lately, people have applied for kittens, but there are many available older cats (ages 1 and older). Rates for them have been reduced to $80.

"We currently can house about 30-35 cats right now, and we're completely full. We have one kitten that's available for adoption. Everybody else is a year or older, even a few seniors," said Clinton Pet Vet Rescue and Sanctuary Operations director Mare Clarey.

Clarey hopes people understand the permanence of adopting.

"This is a forever thing," Clarey said. "Try and think of it that way. It's not just something because you're home and you're bored, and you would like an animal to love. This is a commitment you're going to have to keep forever."

Dr. Price encourages new dog owners who have been home to try to spend some time away from their pets to help avoid separation anxiety.

To learn more about the Clinton Pet Vet Rescue and Sanctuary, visit its Facebook page.