Even with all of Hudson County in coronavirus-induced self-isolation, we sometimes need things. Yes, humans, primarily, but also our most beloved family members of all — our pets. Pets could require emergency attention, food, or even medications. If that happens, you’ll want to know what’s still open so that you can get there quickly, get what you need, and get out.
But first, let’s address the elephant in the room. So many pet paw-rents want to know: What does COVID-19 mean for my furbaby? According to Dr. Jeff Weber, D.V.M, “There has been no evidence that dogs can be infected by the virus.”
Dr. Weber told Fi, “The fact is that the virus is species-specific, meaning that it cannot infect a dog. Interestingly, there was a dog in Hong Kong who tested a ‘weak positive’ which caused much concern, but the thought was that he may have come in direct contact with an infected person, and had some virus particles in his mouth.”
While Dr. Weber added, “It could be a remote possibility that a dog could become a temporary carrier of the virus via contact with an infected person and harbor the virus in his saliva while showing no clinical disease,” it’s still not likely. Your dog most likely cannot contract COVID-19. Most importantly, as long as they are quarantined inside with you and aren’t coming in direct contact with others infected with the virus, you {and your pets} should be fine.
Now more than ever, many of the resources we’ve come to take for granted are less accessible. That’s why if you’re a dog or cat mama {or hey, bird or hamster parent}, you will definitely want to bookmark this for later!
Here is a comprehensive list of local pet resources throughout Northern Jersey that are still open during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pet Stores
{Photo credit: @houndabouttownjc}
Hound About Town is located at 17 McWilliams Place in Jersey City. Their COVID-19 hours have changed. Hound About Town is now open from 11:00AM-7:00PM every day, weekends, and weekdays, too. They are also supplying local delivery if you text them at 201-918-5557 or 201-721-5532.
Hoboken Pet, located at 524 Washington Street, is open Monday through Saturday 9:00AM-7:00PM and on Sundays until 6:00PM.
Cornerstone Pets is also open. Located at 105 9th Street in Hoboken, pet owners can visit Cornerstore from 9:00AM-5:00PM on the weekends and 10:00AM-6:00PM on the weekdays. They are also offering curbside pickup {but need two hours notice} as well as free same-day delivery within Hoboken and 1-day notice delivery outside of Hoboken.
See More: COVID-19 Testing Sites in New Jersey + Your FAQs Answered
Where to Get Pet Food
Much like how you may worry about having enough human food for self-isolation, you also want to make sure you have enough pet food to last through the quarantine, too. As of this writing, pet food is well-stocked and available at the above spots — again, Hoboken Pet {542 Washington Street, Hoboken}, Cornerstone Pets {105 9th Street, Hoboken}, and Hound About Town {17 McWilliams Place, Jersey City}.
While each of these stores may have fewer brands than usual, pet food is still available.
Hoboken Animal Hospital {details for which are below} is also still supplying food and medication to clients for curbside pick-up only.
Vet hospitals
Hoboken Vets Animal Clinic, located at 1125 Maxwell Lane, is taking their hours day-to-day and is seeing patients by appointment only. With no walk-ins being taken at this time, you can call ahead to schedule an appointment at 201-559-5733. Right now, their hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00AM-7:00PM, Fridays 9:00AM-6:00PM, and weekends 10:00AM-5:00PM.
Hoboken Animal Hospital has adapted its regular hours and practices. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM-6:30PM and Saturdays from 8:00AM-2:30PM, they are taking patients by appointment only. Hoboken Animal Hospital is also only allowing one client in the waiting room at a time. Their door is locked when you approach; simply knock and when they are ready for you {meaning no one else is in the waiting room}, they will let you in. You can also order medication and food through Hoboken Animal Hospital, which is available for pick-up only.
Animal Infirmary of Hoboken is still taking walk-ins at this time. Located at 600 Adams Street, it is still recommended to call ahead to make sure your information is up to date {or if you are new to Animal Infirmary}. Monday through Friday, Animal Infirmary is open from 8:00AM until their last walk-in at 4:00PM. On Saturdays, they are open 8:00AM-1:00PM.
Jersey City Animal Hospital, located at 603 West Side Avenue, is open from Monday through Friday 8:00AM- 7:00PM. The hospital closes for lunch, then reopens from 2:00PM-7:00PM. On Saturday, they are open from 8:00AM-5:00PM. Call the Jersey City Animal Hospital at 201-435-6424.
Downtown Veterinary Associates is also open in Jersey City. Located at 282 1st Street, Downtown Vet Associates is not letting any clients in the building at this time. Only pets. Walk-ins are still welcome but you have to call ahead to let them know you are coming. Someone will come outside, pick up the pet, and then after the examination, return your pet and you can discuss the appointment over the phone with the doctor. Downtown Vet Associates is also currently not taking any lunch breaks, so they are working through 9:00AM-4:00PM on weekdays. On the weekend, they are open from 9:00AM-1;00PM.
In Ridgefield Park, Ridgefield Park Animal Hospital is open, accepting appointments only. Located at 199 Main Street, they are currently open weekdays from 8:00AM-7:00PM and on Saturday from 8:30AM-2:00PM. Call 201-814-0095 to book an appointment.
Animal General in Edgewater is open Monday-Friday from 8:00AM to 6:00PM. Pet parents should call before coming and also let the office know when you’re outside, as they are trying to minimize having any people {besides doctors + staff} in the office. Someone will come out and grab your furry bestie to escort them inside.
Seacaucus Animal Hospital is also doing curbside pickup + dropoff to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. Give them a call at (201) 867-4795 before arriving to make sure they are ready for you.
Emergency Vets
Hudson County
In Hoboken, there is one emergency veterinary hospital that is open all night: Veterinary Emergency Group {VEG}. On weekdays, VEG opens at 6:00PM until 8:00AM {that’s Monday through Thursday}. On weekends, VEG Hoboken opens at 6:00PM Friday and does not close until 8:00AM the following Monday. VEG is located at 1327 Willow Avenue in Hoboken. To call ahead, dial 201-630-0636.
Bergen County
In Bergen County, Blue Pearl Vet is an emergency veterinary hospital that is open 24/7. Located at 545 Route 17 South in Paramus, emergency walk-ins are accepted, but you can also call ahead. Contact Blue Pearl by email at info.paramus@bluepearlvet.com.
Blue Pearl Vet also has nearby locations in Midtown {410 West 55th Street, available by phone at 212-767-0099} and Downtown New York {1 W 15th Street, available by phone at 212-924-3311}.
Also in Bergen County is Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus. Oradell is open 24/7 for urgent and emergent veterinary care and because of COVID-19, is currently exercising curbside check-in. This means that owners are expected to drop their pet off at the building; an Oradell employee will meet you by your car and bring your pet inside.
Communication with doctors will take place over the phone exclusively. This includes diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and physical exam results, according to the Oradell website. After treatment, your pet will be returned to you by your car. As of right now, the only payments accepted will be over the phone or via credit card. {You can pay your bill online here}. Visitation is limited to the “critically ill” only and will be processed by vets and employees on a case-by-case basis. In the event a visit is granted, only one asymptomatic guest may accompany their pet. Additionally, elective surgeries and wellness visits have been suspended.
Note: Oradell also has locations in Hasbrouck Heights and Fort Lee, but neither location is operating 24/7 at this time. Hasbrouck Heights is open Monday and Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM and Saturdays from 9:00AM-1:00PM. Fort Lee is open Monday through Friday from 9:00AM-5:00PM.
In Ridgefield Park in Bergen County, Tenafly Animal Hospital is open from 7:00AM-10:00PM, 7 days a week. You can find Tenafly Animal Hospital at 130 County Road in Ridgefield; their phone number is 201-567-7878.
Westwood Regional Veterinary Hospital {also in Bergen County} is open 24/7, 7 days a week at 346 Kinderkamack Road in Westwood. Call ahead at 201-885-5040.
Read More: 15 Ways to Help First Responders in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
Other Nearby Counties
In Passaic County, Veterinary Emergency Group {VEG} also has another location in Clifton. Located at 790 Route 3, the Clifton location operates the same hours as the Hoboken VEG: Monday through Thursday from 6:00PM-8:00AM and from 6:00PM Friday night until 8:00AM Monday morning. Call 201-438-7122 to give VEG Clifton a heads up.
Please note: VEG does have a third location in Union, New Jersey. However, a source at VEG confirms the company has decided to temporarily close the Union location in order to use the Union staff as extra hands-on-deck at the Hoboken location.
If you are willing {and able} to trek into New York City, The Animal Medical Center is currently open 24/7. Located at 510 East 62nd Street in New York, you can call AMC by phone at 212-838-8100.
For a full list of emergency vet hospitals throughout NJ, visit New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association.
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