Lack of emergency pet care

EDITOR: When your pet is seriously injured and your vet is out of town, how do you get medical help? Answer: you drive to Santa Rosa to the emergency animal hospital. Our dog was gored by a buck in our yard. Since our vet was unavailable, I started calling vets in the area. Village Veterinary was not taking new clients. Detrick Veterinary was closed. Covington Creek said to leave a message. I also called vets inWillits and Ukiah seeking help. No one would see us. Closest help was in Santa Rosa.

On our way out of town, we pulled into Covington Creek Veterinary. The vetwas outside speakingwith a client when we arrived. I asked if he could help us. He said sincewewere not a regular client that he was too busy and we needed to leave. This vet’s behavior is unconscionable. The client he was speaking with told us to go to theHumane Society. Unfortunately, the vet had already left when we arrived. However, the staff rushed out to see how they could help. Sadly, our dog passed away at that moment. There are not enoughwords to thank these kind people for their personal attention and support.

How is it that in ALL ofMendocino County, there are not emergency services for animals? There are no “on call” vets for after business hours and weekends. As coastal residents, we are expected to drive two and onehalf hours to get emergency care for our injured pet. Depending of the severity of the injury, most of us will watch our pet die.

So, be prepared, The Humane Society will do their best to help, but they are not equipped to deal with serious emergencies. However, they will give you advice and support. Something youwill not get from anyone else in this area.

— Dede and Paul Raisanen, Fort

Bragg