Christmas Newsletter

Christmas is sneaking up fast (how did that happen already?!), so here’s a quick update on what’s been happening at the clinic — plus everything you need to know heading into the holiday season.

🎅 Holiday Opening Hours

To give our team a chance to rest, recharge, and maybe eat an unreasonable amount of pavlova, our hours over Christmas/New Year will be:

Closed on all statutory public holidays

Closed Saturday 29 November for our staff Christmas party

Closed Saturday 27 December & Saturday 3 January

Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve: closing early at 5pm

Limited staffing from 23 December – 4 January

Back to normal hours from Monday 5 January

If your pet needs medication refills, food, or a pre-holiday check, please get in touch early so we can make sure everyone is sorted before the break.

🐾 Welcome Back, Sammy

After some time away “working” (with a fair amount of playing, we assume!) at the Queenstown ski fields, we were thrilled to welcome Vet Nurse Sammy back in October. She’s slotted back in as if she never left — we’re so happy to have her home.

🌴 Rhi & Dr Steve in Niue

In early November, our Head Surgical Nurse Rhi and Dr Steve spent a week in Niue with The Rock Vets, providing veterinary care and support to the local community. It was another amazing trip and a reminder of how important this work is. A huge thank you to everyone who donated items for our quiz night and to all who came along.

Because of your generosity, we’re able to send a vet and a nurse each year to help the animals of Niue.

Keep an eye out for next year’s event — we’ve already started scheming!

☀️ Summer Pet Safety Tips

With warmer weather finally here, here are a few quick reminders to help keep your furry family members safe this summer:

🌡️ Avoid overheating

Walks are best kept to the cooler parts of the day, and pets should always have access to shade and fresh water.

🚗 Never leave pets in cars

Even a few minutes can be dangerous — temperatures climb far faster than most people realise.

🐾 Hot surfaces hurt paws

If the pavement or sand is too hot for your own feet, it’s too hot for theirs.

🪲 Fleas, ticks & worms

Summer is prime time for parasites. If you’re unsure what your pet is due for, feel free to give us a shout.

🍗 BBQ hazards

Bones, skewers, fat trimmings, alcohol and corn cobs are common causes of emergency visits — keep human food well out of reach.

🎄 Christmas trees & decorations

Pets love investigating shiny things — sometimes a little too much!

Tinsel, ribbon, and string can cause dangerous intestinal blockages if eaten.

Glass baubles can shatter and cause cuts or be swallowed.

Pine needles (real or artificial) can irritate mouths and stomachs.

Keep fairy light cords tucked away to avoid chewing mishaps.

🎆 Fireworks & holiday noise

If your pet gets anxious, get in touch early — we can help with management strategies or calming options.

✨ Wishing You a Wonderful Christmas and New Year

Thank you for trusting us with your pets throughout another busy year.

From all of us at East Coast Bays Vet Clinic, we hope your summer is full of sunshine, good food, and wagging tails.