May Day and Spring Bank Holidays

Over the course of May, there are 2 bank holidays which will affect our opening hours:
May Day weekend
Friday 3rd May : Open as usual
Saturday 4th - Monday 6th May: CLOSED
Tuesday 7th May : Open as usual

Spring Bank Holiday weekend
Friday 24th May : Open as usual
Saturday 25th - Monday 27th : CLOSED
Tuesday 28th May : Open as usual

If you have a concern any time we are closed, contact the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals at the RVC on 01707 666399 (24 hours)

RVC Educational Memorial Programme

As part of the training of new vets, the Royal Veterinary College use donated cadavers to provide as realistic and representative an experience as possible.
They have found this a very successful and useful program, and they are asking for more owners to consider donating their pets’ bodies when the time comes.
We appreciate this is a difficult decision, and not one to be taken lightly but if it is something you would like to participate in then please speak to a member of staff.

Changes to rules around flea and worming treatment

In January, legislation came into force that affects when and how we are able to dispense prescription antiparasiticides (flea and worming treatments). For more information, please click here

Christmas and New Year opening times

As usual, our opening times will change a little over the festive period.
For details, please click here

We are now on facebook and Instagram!
You can now find us on social media; learn more about the practice and meet some of our patients. Don't forget to like and follow! (if you would like your pet to be featured, please let us know)
Facebook
Instagram

Winter Newsletter added

Our Winter 2022 Newsletter has been added to the Newsletters page

Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 Opening Times

To view our opening times over the festive period, please click here

In case of emergency, please phone 01727 854787, 24 hours a day.

Vaccine supply

As many of you are aware, the veterinary industry has had a supply issue with vaccinations - we hope to have seen the end of these issues now, and currently have a supply of both cat and dog vaccines but we are only able to supply current clients (and those registering with new puppies and kittens).

As with other routine appointments, we remain very busy so please be patient when booking in your pets, as we may not be able to book you in as soon as we often can.

Travelling abroad after the UK leaves the EU

As of January 1st 2021, the UK is no longer part of the EU, and the way you can travel with your pets has change. You will need an Animal Health Certificate, along with a current, valid rabies vaccination. Up to 5 animals can travel on a single Certificate, for non-commercial purposes only.

As the additional requirements vary by destination, we still recommend contacting DEFRA and/or the country you're planning to visit in order to ensure your pet meets the entry/re-entry requirements well before you travel.

Click here for more details on the AHC process, and for a request form to fill in before your appointment

The latest information can be found here.

Appointments

As we are running an appointment-only system currently, we do get very busy. As a result, if you have an appointment booked but are no longer able to attend, we ask that you please phone to let us know so we can make that slot available to somebody else who may need it.

Blasted Fireworks!

With fireworks now a year-round issue, but especially in the darker winter months, this article could make all the difference in keeping your pets calm and more relaxed. It was written by Mr Hess and designed to help your pets deal with any sources of loud noise, with a focus on fireworks. His advice can be found here

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Interim Statement

During the current pandemic, we are taking as many precautions as we can to help prevent and slow the spread. We remain open for appointments only until further notice, but would ask that any clients currently isolating consider this when contacting the practice - we will always treat emergencies, but may ask that alternative arrangements are made for bringing the animal in, and for more routine appointments we will likely ask that you wait until your isolation period is over. If you find yourself in this situation, please call first on 01727 854787.

Over the coming months, we will be following guidelines from the government, the RCVS and the WHO, so you may notice some changes to our daily routines but as far as possible we will try to minimise disruption for our clients.

For our full interim statement, click here

Vaccination Reminders & GDPR

For many years, we've been sending our clients reminders through the post when their pets' vaccinations are due. While we are still happy to offer this service, we would like to cut down on the amount of paper we use to do so. An update to our system means we can now send them via text message, but in order to do this we need to have your current contact details and also (owing to GDPR) your permission to use them for this purpose.

GDPR means we need your permission to hold your data - since the new law came in, many of our clients have given us the go-ahead to store and use their details in order to contact them regarding their pets. For those of you who have given us your permission, thank you. For anybody who has yet to do so, this is a good time to both check your details are up-to-date and confirm whether or not you'd like us to send you reminders (and how you'd like us to do so).

**We do need your permission in order to continue sending reminders, so please get in touch and let us know whether you want reminders or not, and if so whether you're happy for us to send them via text message. To those of you who have already been in contact, thank you.

Rest assured, we will only use your details to contact you in relation to your pet(s) and their health, and will only pass on your details to a third party if it's necessary for your pet's treatment or if you've given us explicit permission to do so.

Summer Newsletter added!

Our Summer 2019 Newsletter has been added to the Newsletters page - take a look for information and advice on fleas, mites and ticks, as well as kennel cough, dealing with summer heat, and welcoming a new puppy or kitten to the household.

Easter and May Bank Holidays 2019

As usual, our opening hours will be affected by the bank holidays in April and May.
For details, please see Easter & May Bank Holidays 2019

If you have an emergency any time, please phone 01727 854787

Christmas and New Year Opening Times

As usual, our opening times will vary from normal over the festive period. For details, please click here.

Blasted Fireworks!

With fireworks now a year-round issue, but especially in the darker winter months, this article could make all the difference in keeping your pets calm and more relaxed. It was written by Mr Hess and designed to help your pets deal with any sources of loud noise, with a focus on fireworks. His advice can be found here

GDPR, May 2018

As you're no doubt well aware from the influx of emails in your inbox, the rules around data protection are changing. General Data Protection Regulations ('GDPR') come into effect.

Your personal information held by the Practice includes only your name, address, and phone numbers (and in a few cases, email address). If you have not received a GDPR request from us please contact the Practice to confirm that you are happy for us to hold that information.

Looking for a new dog groomer?

In recent times, Mr Hess has visited Scrufts Grooming on Vesta Avenue in St Albans, and found them to be very good. He has checked out their qualifications and facilities, and is happy to recommend them to our clients.

Karen completes Inca Trail

One of our nurses, Karen, has successfully completed the Inca Trail, raising over £500 for Cancer Research UK in the process. Karen is very grateful for all the support and donations received.