Veterinary clinic closed Published Dec. 12, 2012 HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Hanscom Veterinary Treatment Facility in Building 1219 is closed due to mold and potential health hazards to pets and humans. Veterinary services will be suspended until further notice. Staff members are working hard to ensure that service disruptions will be kept to an absolute minimum by trying to get operations established in the temporary facility as soon as possible. An exact reopening date has not been set. Anyone with questions or concerns may call 781-225-2772 and leave a message. The clinic staff will return phone calls as soon as possible. In addition, the VTF's voicemail recording will be updated with information periodically. Q: How can I receive the latest information about the vet clinic closure? A: Call the vet clinic at 781-225-2772. The voicemail recording will be updated with the latest information periodically. Q: When will you reopen? A: There is no definitive date for reopening the clinic. Vet clinic officials are coordinating with Civil Engineering on a new location. When a new location is identified, it will need to be made compliant with various Veterinary Clinic standards before services can begin. Q: Where can I take my pet in the interim? A. The following is a list of local veterinary facilities that Hanscom personnel may use while the VTF is closed. Non-emergency: Lexington-Bedford Vet Hospital 476 Bedford St. Lexington, MA 02420 Phone: 781-862-3670 Fax: 781-862-1122 Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Friday: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No billing, accepts all forms of payment The Cat Doctor 200 Great Rd. Bedford, MA 01730 Phone: 781-275-5223 Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-12 noon No billing, accepts all forms of payment Burlington Vet Hospital 64 Middlesex Turnpike Burlington, MA 01803 Phone: 781-270-0044 Hours: Monday: 12 noon-8 p.m., Tuesday: 8 a.m-8 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m-1 p.m. No billing, no American Express and no personal checks on first visit Woburn Animal Hospital 373 Russell St. Woburn, MA 01801 Phone: 781-933-0170 Fax: 781-933-5785 Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. No billing, accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and checks Lexington Veterinary Associates 511 Waltham St. Lexington, MA 02421 Phone: 781-862-1127 Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m-6 p.m., Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-12 noon Accepts all payment except American Express, takes exotic animals Veterinary Dental Services 183 The Great Rd. Acton, MA 01720 Phone: 978-929-9200 No billing, no American Express 24 hour emergency clinics: Mass Vet Referral Hospital 21 Cabot Rd. Woburn, MA Phone: 978-932-5802 Cash, Mastercard or Visa at time of service, no billing, checks or American Express Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England 180 Bear Hill Rd. Waltham, MA Phone: 781-684-8387 75 percent up front bill payment, no American Express MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center- Boston 350 S. Huntington Ave. Boston, MA Phone: 617-522-7282 Q: Will the building be fixed and will you move back in the old location eventually? A: No. Building 1219 will not reopen. The building will be demolished at some time in the future. The Vet Clinic was already slated to be relocated in spring of 2014. The installation has approved the renovation of Building 1216, currently the Airman's Attic, for the Vet Clinic. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2013. 66 MDS is working with CE to identify a temporary location for the Vet Clinic until the renovation of Building 1216 is complete. Q: Why did you close? A: Drywall along the south wall of Building 1219 was visibly wet with a strong mold smell immediately after Hurricane Sandy. Several structural inspections were conducted on the building that verified the roof required to be replaced. A second inspection testing for mold throughout the building was conducted. The inspection verified the presence of several types of mold. A: I've been at the vet clinic recently? Am I or my pet in danger as a result of exposure to the mold? Q: No. Precautions were made immediately in the rooms along the south wall after the hurricane. The drywall was covered with plastic sheeting to reduce the possibility of mold spores getting into the air. The rooms affected were closed and sealed off and customers did not have access to these areas. The concern is mainly for the personnel working in Building 1219. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of airborne mold spores could cause upper respiratory problems. Customers who recently visited the Vet Clinic after Hurricane Sandy should not be concerned.