The Greyhound Adoption Center continues to care for the dogs at our facility, but due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we are suspending all tours, volunteer orientations, and events until further notice to help keep our staff and volunteers safe and healthy. At present, adoptions will continue as scheduled. The ASPCA has posted the following to help you with your pets, too:
Can My Pet Contract the Coronavirus?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the disease is spread to humans through person-to-person contact. There have been no reports of pets or livestock becoming ill or spreading the coronavirus in the U.S. Likewise, the World Health Organization has stated that there is no evidence that dogs or cats have become ill with this particular virus.
Wash Your Hands
Although there is no current evidence that suggests the coronavirus can be transmitted to or from companion animals, it’s always a good idea to follow basic hygiene practices around animals. This includes washing your hands thoroughly throughout the day and before and after direct contact with your pets, their food or their supplies.
Stock Up on Pet Supplies
Prepare a kit with essential supplies to have on hand in the event of an emergency. Your emergency kit should include a 30-day supply of your pets’ medications, as well as at least two weeks’ worth of food.
Designate an Emergency Caregiver
Proactively identify someone who could help with their short- or long-term care in the event you are unable to care for your pet. Consider a family member, friend, neighbor or your favorite boarding facility.
Create a Pet Dossier
If your emergency caregiver’s assistance is needed, make it easier for them by having all of your pets’ information in one place. Consider including things like habits, food preferences, medical conditions and medications taken, veterinarian contact information, and any behavioral tendencies.
Need ideas for keeping your dogs entertained? Recommended by veterinarians and dog trainers, explore the Canine Enrichment Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/canineenrichment/)! Also consider these books (among others) available on Kindle or in paperback format: Canine Enrichment: The Book Your Dog Needs You to Read (Shay, 2019), Canine Enrichment for the Real World: Making It Part of Your Dog’s Daily Life(Bender & Strong, 2019), and Brain Teasers for Dogs: Quick and Easy Homemade Puzzle Games(Sonderman, 2018).
What to do if you’re quarantined, live in an apartment/condo, and aren’t allowed to take your dog outside? The New York Times offers tips on how to teach your dog to potty inside, as well as tips to keep them engaged (Helping Your Dog Survive During a Quarantine: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/smarter-living/dog-pets-quarantine-coronavirus-tips.html).
Take care of one another, be safe, and give your dog a nice, gentle pat from us!
References
Bender, A., & Strong, E. (2019). Canine enrichment for the real world: Marking it part of your dog’s daily life. Wenatchee, WA: Dogwise.
Coronavirus: Keeping your pets safe during the COVID-19 crisis. (2020, March 13). Retrieved from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website: https://www.aspca.org/news/coronavirus-keeping-your-pets-safe-during-covid-19-crisis
Kelly, S. (2019). Canine enrichment: The book your dog needs you to read. Columbia, SC.
Lowrey, S. (2020, March 17). Helping your dog survive during a quarantine. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/smarter-living/dog-pets-quarantine-coronavirus-tips.html
Sonderman, C. (2018). Brain teasers for dogs: Quick and easy homemade puzzle games. (J. De Ritter, Trans.). Shrewsbury, England: Quill. (Original work published 2017)