Many don't realize it, until emergency strikes, but pet ownership can be a hardship for those who are facing an extended hospital stay or who, in a medical emergency, have no one to turn to

We have recently established a new level of care by helping patients whose animal companions urgently require care during their owners' hospitalizations. 

ST. VINCENT'S PATIENT PET CARE will:

• Serve as a resource center to offer information and guidance to patients whose pet s are in need of care and services during their hospitalizations. 
• Assist patients whose pets need care when the patients' own family, friend and/or financial resources have run out.
• Assist recuperative patients and outpatients who still need help taking care of their animal companions.  

ST. VINCENT'S PATIENT PET CARE helps animals stay in place by coordinating reliable walking, food and special needs services, and will assist in relocating animals to care facilities, including no-kill shelters, or to short-term foster homes. The Patient Pet Care program is not the first response to pet care needs.  It is when a patient's personal family-friend support system fails that Patient Pet Care is there to offer a comforting resource and insure the safety of their pets.

ST. VINCENT'S PATIENT PET CARE is an important new service for the hospital, and it is comprehensive patient care rather than simple pet assistance.  For further information, please contact Kate Fischer, 212 604 8649/ mfischer@svcmcny.org