Mobile Veterinarian Now Helping Pets In Northern Connecticut

LONGMEADOW, MA — People uncertain about leaving their homes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic now have an alternative option for pet care, as a longtime area veterinarian has opened a mobile practice licensed in Connecticut.

Paws Calls is operated by Kara Ryczek, a 2001 graduate of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine who has worked in small animal hospitals for nearly 20 years.

"In these settings, I typically saw routine wellness appointments, sick visits and surgery cases weekly," Ryczek said. "I missed seeing emergency cases, as this was primarily what I dealt with during my internship, so I decided to pick up shifts at Boston Road Animal Hospital on the weekends and holidays."

Since moving back to her native Longmeadow upon the birth of her children, she has worked part time in East Longmeadow and West Springfield. Finally, earlier this year, she decided to open her own mobile practice.

"I decided to open Paws Calls at the beginning of this year in order to help local family and friends with their pets' medical care," she said. "With my mobile practice, I am seeing patients on scheduled appointments for routine wellness calls such as vaccinations, diagnostics and microchipping, as well as sick visits. I am also on call to fit in emergency cases as needed."

The opening of Paws Calls happened to coincide with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and the subsequent closing of many small businesses. Ryczek recently obtained a license to practice veterinary medicine in Connecticut, and said she has already received many calls from neighboring towns.

If her last name sounds familiar, it should. She is the proud daughter of the late Gene Ryczek, a highly-respected teacher and coach at Fermi High School in Enfield for four decades.

"Currently, I am only seeing dogs and cats," she said. "I am primarily working by myself, and using my own SUV for transportation. I am seeing patients at their homes, taking all necessary precautions to maintain safety and sterility. I am asking owners to see their pets outside for dogs, and to see cats in an enclosed porch or mudroom."

Paws Calls is currently set up for annual physical examinations, vaccinations, microchips, routine diagnostic testing, sick visits and at-home euthanasia. Ryczek may be reached at 617-797-3070, via email at dr.pawscalls@gmail.com, or on Facebook, Dr. Paws Calls.

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