November 2, 2020 ANNOUNCEMENT:

**Important Announcement**

***Closures This Week***

This Tuesday and Wednesday, November 3^rd and 4^th, our parking lot is being repaved! As a result, the main entrance to our facility will be closed off and cars will not be able to enter the parking lot. What does this mean for you?

** We will not be seeing appointments in our office those two days.

** Our phone lines will still be open for calls, questions, scheduling, prescription refills, food purchases, etc.

** If you need to come to our office to pick up medications, purchase supplies, or drop-off and pick-up pets in boarding, we will arrange curbside service for you. On a case by case basis it could be curbside behind our building, or also the option of parking behind us and walking around to the front door. We will make it work for you!

** Although we will not have the medical staff available on site to see appointments, we will still have a doctor on call, so you can follow our normal After Hours Emergency Protocols. These include using our pager for emergencies (602-351-1850), or if you happen to call in and are in need of an emergency appointment we will help you to get in touch with the doctor on call.

** House Calls! We do have a doctor scheduled to do house calls on these days as well. If you have been needing to schedule a house call appointment, please contact the office and we will do our best to get you scheduled.

Thank you for your patience during this process!

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October 16, 2020:

A few big things checked off the list and ready for more!

Rabbit Vaccine Clinics:   Tortoise Pre-hibernation Clinic:   New Phone System:

What's next?? We miss seeing our valued clients! We are in the process of making plans to re-open our doors, while still following all recommended COVID-19 protocols. Please stay tuned for an update on when to expect our new protocols to begin. As soon as we are ready, we will let you know!

A few key things to remember for when that happens:

* Even with open doors, we will still be following protocols that promote safe interactions in public places. This will include a Mask Policy, distancing requirements, and limiting the number of people allowed in at one time.

* Also important to note is that if you are not ready to come in, that's okay, too! If you do not wish to come inside at this time, or if you are not able to, we will still be offering the same curbside check-ins for your convenience.

Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to move forward. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!

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August 27, 2020:

We're Almost There!!
Thank you all for your patience as we continue to follow COVID-19 protocols yet struggle with our phone service issues. We are in the process of getting our new phone service up and running and hope that things will run much smoother for us and for all of you who are trying to check in over the phone or pick up your pets.

More Exciting New?!
Things are running smoothly with the RHDV2 Vaccines. We have now vaccinated well over 200 rabbits for our amazing clients, with more on the horizon. If you still need to get your rabbit in for the vaccine and you have not received or filled out a "Rabbit Vaccination Information Form", please email us at info@aeacarizona.com and make sure to add RHDV2 in the subject line.

May 7, 2020:

Thank You for Your Patience!

As you may have discovered first hand, it has not been easy to reach someone at our office by phone these past couple of weeks. Thank you all so much for your patience during this stressful time for everyone.

With all of the changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent news of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 confirmed in the state of Arizona, and the anticipated arrival of the RHDV2 vaccine, just to name a few, our switchboard has been lit up like a Christmas tree all day, every day.

Please know that we are doing our very best to return every single phone call, voicemail, and email message as quickly as possible. There will definitely be some expected delays and we greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation.

And if you are in our parking lot calling to check in for your appointment and you get our voicemail, please do try again to get through. We are doing our best to not keep you waiting and to get you checked in as quickly as possible.

We are all in this together (just from 6 feet apart 😷)

April 23, 2020:

Our sincerest apologies go out to all of our valued clients and friends who have had difficulty reaching us over the phone this week!

** RHDV2 Update **

Earlier this week we sent out an email to all of our rabbit owners regarding Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 and the RHDV2 Vaccine. Since then our office has been flooded with so many calls that we have had difficulty keeping up. In addition, since our new COVID policies require us to triage all of our daily appointments over the phone as well, many of you have been kept waiting longer than we would like. Please accept our apologies for the delays in service.

Here is what we need your help with:

• • 1. If you have left us a voicemail or sent us an email, we are doing our best to reply to everyone so please be patient with us – we will reply as quickly as we are able.
    2. If you have any questions about the RHDV2 Vaccine or scheduling that vaccine appointment, or anything on the topic, Please EMAIL your questions and requests to us at info@aeacarizona.com (with RHDV2 in the subject line). Any questions or concerns on this topic, including getting on the list to receive a vaccine, must be sent via email and not called in. We need to keep our phone lines open for sick pets and emergencies to be able to receive the urgent care they need.
    3. If you did not receive the original email with the RHDV2 information and instructions, please email us at info@aeacarizona.com and let us know and we will send you the information that we have and be able to get you on the list, as instructed in the email.

We will post another update soon. Thank you for your patience! (Updated 4/23/20)

** Due to restrictions in place by the CDC and the AVMA regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we are continuing curbside check-ins with some protocols that need to be followed. In additional to our 4/2/20 update, following are additional updated procedures:

• • 1. All pets must be transported in a secure, hard sided carrier that can be easily sanitized (no cardboard) and that your pet cannot easily escape from.
    2. When you arrive in the parking lot for your appointment, call our clinic at 480-706-8478 to let them know that you have arrived. If you do not get through at first, please try again.
    3. Please wait in or near your car during the check-in process.
    4. A veterinary technician will get on the phone to ask you any additional questions that they have about your pet and this will also be your opportunity to give them additional information about what is going on with your pet. The veterinary technician will then give you additional instructions for how to sanitize your carrier and where to place your carrier for the transition to get your pet inside.
    5. It is important that you not bring your pet to the sanitizing station before they are ready for your pet to be brought inside for the exam portion of your visit. We need to keep that area clear for other pets coming and going and allow for all people to maintain the recommended 6 foot distance. In addition, we do not want you to have a pet sit outside unattended before we are available and not realizing that he/she has been placed out there.

Thank You!
Updated 4/23/20

April 2, 2020:

In continued efforts to follow State and Federal Orders, as well as do our best to take care of our patients, we are continuing to stay open with the following modifications and guidelines. We are, however, making adjustments as needed so please check back in for updates!

• • 1. As an Essential Healthcare and Public Health Operation, we are continuing to remain open for our normal business hours.
    2. Although we are open, we are restricted to curbside service. This applies to all food purchases, medication pick-ups, and veterinary appointments. No clients are being allowed into the building.
    3. We are operating with limited staff so it may take longer for you to reach us by phone or for us to return your emails and voicemails. Rest assured we are doing our best to get back to everyone as quickly as we can. Thank you for your patience!
    4. The only appointments that we are able to accommodate at this time are sick pet visits, emergencies, and initial vaccine series. We are temporarily suspending general well checks, annual exams, annual vaccines, grooms, and elective surgeries. Elective surgeries being postponed includes spay and neuters as well.
    5. When you do arrive for an appointment, we ask that you call upon arrival. You will be asked to wait outside and a technician will come outside to get your pet, take any relevant information, and give you any updates.
    6. We do not yet have a date as to when we will resume all other appointments but we will keep you posted! We may be able to resume a full schedule of appointments even before the other restrictions are lifted. We will do our best to post updates as they arise.
    7. Our boarding facility will remain open for those of you who still need this service, as well as our retail store. You may call or email in your order, pay over the phone, and have curbside pickup of these items if needed.
    8. If you are having any symptoms of illness (fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough), or if you have known exposure to COVID-19, please reschedule your appointment. If your pet needs to be seen and the appointment cannot wait, please have someone who has not been in close contact with you bring your pet in to the clinic. If our staff is ill, they too will not be working and exposing our clients. We have to work together to stop the spread of this virus and protect those who are vulnerable.

Thank You!
Updated 4/2/20

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