COVID-19 Update
With the recent pandemic in full swing, here at Southgate we’ve taken many precautions and adopted new protocols in order to keep employees, clients, and pets safe.
Our lobby remains closed to clients and will continue using car-side services in order to provide care for your pets. In compliance with CDC guidelines we will be enforcing social distancing when approaching cars.
Client protocol:
Clients, please step out of your vehicle when talking to a technician or doctor and stand back 6 feet to comply with social distancing. Please retrieve your pet from your car and utilize an arm-extended leash transfer or set your pet’s carrier on the ground and step away. You are required to house your cats in a carrier — if you do not have one, there are cardboard pet taxis available for purchase.
If you or a family member in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are showing symptoms, please arrange for a friend or family member outside your household to transfer your pet for any appointments. The transferee must be wearing a mask (gloves optional) when bringing the pet to Southgate. All protocols mentioned above must be followed. We will bathe your pet or take steps to decrease the risk of contamination for employees. The transferee must also pick up the pet to return home.
Med/food pick-up:
In order to pick up your prescription medication and/or food, you must call ahead on that day before coming to pick up your items. Your items will be placed outside in a numbered bin before you arrive to eliminate direct contact. Our scheduled pick-up time is Monday – Friday, 5:00pm – 6:00pm. Controlled substance prescriptions will not be placed in the bins but will be delivered directly to your car.
What we are doing in the hospital:
Frequently disinfecting surfaces with hydrogen based cleaning products and Millenium Q 64 disinfectant.
Technicians and doctors are wearing smocks, gloves, and face masks when interacting with clients.
Enforcing social distancing when able.
Split into two teams which will be working alternate days to prevent rapid spread of any possible contamination to employees and clients.
Have we had any confirmed cases within Southgate?
Yes. An employee tested positive for COVID-19 on May 3, and has since shown no symptoms. Upon receiving results, we took immediate precautions and contacted the ND Department of Health. All tested employees have tested negative. We immediately closed our doors for one week and have been working remotely to reschedule each client and answer questions.
Since that time, the mandatory 14 days without symptoms has passed and all employees are cleared to return to the building. Our premises was decontaminated by ServPro following positive testing results and is now ready for us to re-enter.
Southgate Veterinary Hospital has been proudly serving the Fargo-Moorhead area since 1994. We are a progressive small animal hospital, located in the southern part of Fargo, North Dakota.