What About Pets?

[lukebass]

I watched a video from Spain about the pandemic there. There was a brief part that had volunteers in hazmat suits collecting pets from house where the homeowner what hospitalized. There was little detail.

What should we do if a family member or neighbor who lives alone with a pet becomes hospitalized with Covid 19? Would it be safe to enter their home and rescue their pet/pets?

With the lack of leadership and direction these days I believe we need to be prepared for all contingencies. I have yet to see any mention of the pet situation. Pets create more questions like, can pets be carriers, if so, can their stools be contagious?
Dogs alone number almost 70 million in the US. What would happen if the dogs alone were to perish due to lack of care, (food, etc,), and their bodies left to rot in an apartment or home?

What about your pets?

 

[Ronni]

Hey Luke, welcome from one Tennessean to another.


From the CDC:

• We do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19.

Vets, at least mine here in Nashville, are far more worried about human to human contagion. I have to take my senior dog in to see him because he's old and has been coughing intermittently. His heart is already enlarged and I think it's just getting worse. The vet has established strict protocols for visits. No one comes into the clinic. A tech will come collect my dog and then the Vet will FaceTime, Skype or have a phone conversation with me depending on my ability and device while he's doing the exam. When the exam is over, the tech will deliver my dog and my bill, plus any meds, and will run my credit card car-side on a portable machine.

 

[C'est Moi]

People need to use common sense in all things, which is in short supply these days. I wouldn't expect the government to waste time on directives for pets, but that's just me. If you're concerned just make your own arrangements for your pets.

 

[CarolfromTX]

I think our leadership is taking care of the most urgent and important things first. Dealing with the pets can, and should, be taken on at the local level.

 

[Gaer]

I have no one around to take my dog. I guess this is something I should be thinking about. I would have to call animal control to come and get him if i got sick from this virus. But, if it came to that, they probably wouldn't be working either. He's a damn good dog and a purebred. It would be cruel to just let him run free. I honestly don't know. I pray it doesn't come to that!

 

[Red Cinders]

If I lived alone, I would put a note facing out of my front window saying how many and what type of pets I had along with a contact number of who to call. Chances are if the pets have been left on their own for awhile, they would likely show up immediately if anyone opened the door. That keeps anyone from having to go inside the house since they'll know that the two doggies who show up are the only pets inside.

If I had to go to the hospital, I would leave a lot of extra water bowls and full food bowls on the floor. I would have already called friends and our vets office and set up something so they could easily access the house and rescue my doggies.

It's good to bring this up because it's something all pet owners should be planning just in case.

 

[Pepper]

Of course they are working @Gaer. That is part of "essential services."

 

[Ronni]

I have no one around to take my dog. I guess this is something I should be thinking about. I would have to call animal control to come and get him if i got sick from this virus. But, if it came to that, they probably wouldn't be working either. He's a damn good dog and a purebred. It would be cruel to just let him run free. I honestly don't know. I pray it doesn't come to that!

Oh please don't let him run free!

There are numerous rescue organizations you can find with a quick search who would be able to take him in under dire circumstances. He deserves the chance at a good home if you can no longer care for him.

 

[Butterfly]

I have no one around to take my dog. I guess this is something I should be thinking about. I would have to call animal control to come and get him if i got sick from this virus. But, if it came to that, they probably wouldn't be working either. He's a damn good dog and a purebred. It would be cruel to just let him run free. I honestly don't know. I pray it doesn't come to that!

Get someone to take him to Animal Humane. He would have a much better chance of coming out alive and unscathed than at animal control. Much better treatment and living conditions, too.

 

[Keesha]

 

[Keesha]

If I lived alone, I would put a note facing out of my front window saying how many and what type of pets I had along with a contact number of who to call. Chances are if the pets have been left on their own for awhile, they would likely show up immediately if anyone opened the door. That keeps anyone from having to go inside the house since they'll know that the two doggies who show up are the only pets inside.

If I had to go to the hospital, I would leave a lot of extra water bowls and full food bowls on the floor. I would have already called friends and our vets office and set up something so they could easily access the house and rescue my doggies.

It's good to bring this up because it's something all pet owners should be planning just in case.

Yes! Have a plan.