Important Information on COVID-19 and Pets

The health and well-being of everyone in the responsible pet care community, and the animals we care for, is of the utmost importance to us here at PIJAC. We continue to closely monitor the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. We at PIJAC are following all guidance being provided by public health experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and we urge you to do so as well.

To help you prepare and protect yourself, your family, your colleagues, your pets and the animals in your care, we have collected some resources below:

COVID-19 and Pets

According to CDC:

• There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.
• To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.
• At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals.
• For further information, go to CDC’s new website “Animals and Coronavirus 2019” or read CDC’s FAQ on COVID-19 and animals
• Additional information on staying safe and healthy around animals including pets, livestock, and wildlife: CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website.

Protection and Prevention

• To help protect yourself and others from COVID-19, follow these guidelines from the CDC, and ensure your family members and your employees follow as well: Steps to Prevent Illness
• Frequently asked questions on COVID-19 from CDC: COVID-19 FAQs
• Here is information from the WHO, including videos and downloadable infographics to share via email or on social media: Coronavirus Disease Advice for the Public  
• You may be preparing yourself and your family for a period of social distancing or quarantine. Make sure to also include your pets in your planning, including having a two-week supply of pet food and pet medicines available: Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit
• CDC printable flyer: “How to Stay Healthy Around Pets” 
• New PIJAC resource document for stores: Recommendations to Protect Employees, Customers and Animals in Your Care (March 21)

Communication

• It’s important to communicate to your customers what measures your business is taking to protect both human and animal health. It can be as simple as an email, signs posted on your front door, or an announcement on social media. Whether it be increased sanitization practices, mandatory employee training on appropriate hygiene, limiting the number of customers allowed in the store, and/or curtailing employee travel, it is critical that anyone who interacts with your business be informed that you are responsible and taking action.   
• We also encourage you to slow the spread of misinformation by sharing the facts about animals, COVID-19 and how the disease can spread by referring to the information available on CDC’s website here or with this infographic from WHO.  

We at PIJAC will continue to work with our public health and government agency partners to monitor, collect and share with you updates as new information becomes available.