In its first weekend of service, Arizona Humane Society’s after-hours urgent care clinic, now open Thursday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., saw 45 pets come through its doors (photo courtesy of Arizona Humane Society).
On Dec. 11, animal welfare organization Arizona Humane Society (AHS) began providing expert after-hours urgent veterinary care for owned pets at its Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, located at 5501 E. Van Buren St.
This after-hours care is for non-emergency, but time-sensitive veterinary medical needs and by walk-in only, Thursday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. In its first weekend, the team saw 45 pets.
“As Arizona continues to experience a veterinarian shortage, which has led to longer waits for pet owners seeking medical care, we’re excited to offer a convenient option to bridge the gap,” said Dr. Melissa Thompson, Arizona Humane Society vice president of Animal Welfare and Medical Services. “Our goal is to provide trusted pet care when our community needs it the most, often after they get home from work or on the weekends. Our services are focused on conditions and ailments that cannot wait for a regular appointment with a veterinarian, things like vomiting, ear infections, urinary tract infections, minor wounds and other non-life-threatening, time-sensitive situations.”
As one of only a handful of animal welfare organizations nationwide providing urgent care, AHS is building on its preventive and wellness services – offered through two veterinary clinics as well as mobile and online vet care options – to take another vital step in addressing Maricopa County’s ongoing animal welfare crisis and keeping pets with the families who love them rather than in overcrowded shelters, the organization said.
“Pets and their owners deserve timely veterinary care,” said Thompson. “The sooner a pet is seen, the better their chances of healing. When we increase access to care in our community, we help pets get the treatment they need before an illness or injury becomes overwhelming and before families are forced into heartbreaking decisions about whether they can afford to keep their pet.”
Walk-ins are only available for owned pets, and veterinarians are unable to address emergency situations. If your pet needs emergency assistance, visit the closest emergency veterinary clinic. To find out what qualifies as an emergency, a list of emergency clinics in the Valley, as well as additional information about the urgent care clinic, visit www.azhumane.org/urgentcare.
