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ANIMAL CARE
Pet owners worry about looming loss of 24-7 vet ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Local pet owners are raising concerns and voicing their sadness as they face the impending loss of the North Shore’s only all-hours emergency veterinary clinic.
North Vancouver’s Mountainside Animal Emergency & Specialty announced on its website and in social media posts that it will permanently close on Dec. 5. In a statement, the hospital said it explored all options to remain open but could no longer effectively maintain operations. “This decision was not made lightly,” the statement reads. “We understand how much this hospital has meant to our community and the loss this represents for many. While this chapter is ending, we are incredibly proud of the pets we’ve helped and the families we’ve walked alongside during their most important moments.” The emergency clinic will continue to operate 24-7 until it closes, with updates posted on its website and Facebook page if the schedule changes. The hospital said that pet owners seeking to access records can email records@mountainsidevet.ca. The hospital also said it is working with local veterinary hospitals to help guide pet owners in next steps of care. While North Vancouver’s North Care Animal Hospital stays open until 10 p.m., and some other North Shore clinics are open until 6 or 7 p.m., there will now be a gap for overnight emergencies. The next closest all-hours emergency veterinarian is across the water in Vancouver, which could cause life-threatening issues in the case of Continued on A21
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Susan Cowie, pictured here with her dog Ember and cat Samara, is concerned about the impending closure of the only allhours animal hospital on the North Shore. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN
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