As a result of Pennsylvania’s order to shut down all non-essential businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, owners and operators of everything from restaurants to hair salons have had to deal with the impact on their employees and customers.

Establishments that offer both essential and non-essential services, such as The Christmas City Veterinarian Hospital on West Broad Street, face the challenge of finding creative ways to meet essential needs without jeopardizing public health and safety.

Besides canceling all routine surgeries and limiting the days of operation to Monday through Thursday, the veterinarian hospital’s office manager Michele Morgan said the staff is asking pet owners to phone or email the office directly for the latest in scheduling changes, available appointments and the most up-to-date protocols. When making an appointment, the animal’s history will be taken on the phone, Morgan said.

Only non-human animals besides the staff are allowed inside the hospital, and appointments have been extended to a half hour to limit the number of people outside.

“When the pet owners arrive, they call us and someone goes out to pick up the animal,” Morgan said.

Inside, the staff keep the recommended distancing from each other, wash their hands frequently and use only their own individual computers and phones. So far no one has gotten sick, according to Morgan, and the public has been very cooperative in following the protocols.

Following the American Veterinary Medical Association’s guidelines, the staff wear masks that can be sterilized and reused. In response to the community need for personal protective equipment (PPE), Morgan said the vet hospital has donated its remaining supply of 800 pair of disposable gloves, 100-200 masks and 100 gowns for use by first responders.

If the Christmas City facility cannot treat an animal for whatever reason, Morgan said it would refer the pet to one of three other centers:

• Valley Central Veterinary Referral Emergency Center, 610-435-1553

• Eastern Pennsylvania Emergency Veterinary Medical Center, 610-904-1776

• Quakertown Veterinary Hospital, 215-515-8810