New on April 7- Tiger tests positive- what does that mean for our pets? According to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, there is currently no evidence that people can get COVID-19 from pets. The best place for your pet is in the home they know and love. If you aren’t feeling well but are still able to provide care for your pet, please keep them at home where they feel most comfortable. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that if you are sick, to isolate yourself from your pet during the time of your illness and limit interaction with your pets at this time.
Public officials believe that this tiger and other large cats at the NY zoo became infected after coming in contact with a known person who had Covid-19. The USDA and CDC continue to monitor the situation, and the animals are all expected to recover.
The biggest takeaway is that humans are the greatest risk to both humans and animals, and thus far, animals are not a risk to humans. Please make plans for your pets as well as yourself in case you or members of your family get sick. The best place for your pet is at home, be prepared, click here.
Governor Scott has declared a “stay home stay safe” Executive Order, he has also declared that animal shelters are essential. We are still doing adoptions and answering our phones. We are taking this order very seriously, and are ensuring that our animals continue to receive the extra-mile care we always provide, while also finding the animals new homes.
If you are interested in adopting, our process enforces social distancing protocols in order to reduce person-to-person contact. Our website is updated in real time, so if you see a pet you are interested in, please call us to make an appointment. All questions and procedures that can be done on the phone will be done ahead of time.
It is vital that our staff stay healthy so our animals get the care they need 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Therefore, and in accordance with the Governor’s order, we are strictly limiting access to our shelter. It is possible to meet a dog outside in our play yards. For cats, we are asking you to trust us in matching you with the right cat via a phone consultation. We will offer foster-to-adopt, but encourage you to go ahead and adopt a cat knowing that if it does not work out for whatever reason, we will happily take the cat (or dog) back, and you will receive a full refund.
The best place for a pet is in a home. We are going the extra mile for pets, and our community, by continuing adoptions in the most safe and healthy way possible. Thank you for adopting and supporting CVHS during these times. We will get through this together!
Until further notice:
1. Call to make an appointment if you would like to adopt a pet. Our adoptable pet pages on our website are updated in real time. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ADOPTING, NOW IS A GREAT TIME! If you are currently working from home, it’s a great time to transition a new pet into the home! We expect to see an increase in intakes, as people are hospitalized and may need to give up their animals, so more adoptions will mean we are able to accommodate an increase in animals needing us. As stated we will be doing most of our adoption counseling on the phone ahead of time.
2. We are closed to casual visitors- you must have an appointment.
3. If you need to surrender your pet, you MUST call to discuss making an appointment for intake. (476-3811). We do what we can to help animals stay in their homes, so if you are considering surrender due to having lost your income, we can help with food; please reach out to us.
4. We have cancelled events (Volunteer Orientation, April Kids Camp) that would put groups of folks in close proximity.
5. We have cancelled our vaccine clinic on May 2. At this time we are planning to hold one on June 20.
6. We have suspended our public dog training classes for now.
7. At this time we cannot take donations of linens and pre-loved items. If you can, hang onto them until we are able to take them.
8. We appreciate donations of Items such as cat litter, canned food, unopened bags of dry food, hot dogs, and string cheese. Please leave on our porch. We will follow our disinfection protocols to bring them into the building.
We do not want you to be discouraged from adopting a pet. Our animals need homes, so please adopt and donate if you can. CVHS has always maintained a high standard of disinfection in our facility, and our hospital-grade disinfectants kill coronaviruses. All CVHS staff practice good hand hygiene and social distancing, and are directed to stay home when ill.
It is important to know that, to date, there have not been any cases of dogs or cats becoming sick with COVID-19. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association states that there is no evidence that companion animals can be infected with or spread COVID-19. This is also the view of the World Health Organization.
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