Animal shelters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties urged pet owners to develop an emergency plan in the event they are hospitalized with the coronavirus and cannot care for their pets.
While hospitals are working to meet ever-increasing coronavirus patient demands, animal shelters in both counties — including animal services departments in Contra Costa County and the cities of Hayward, Berkeley, Oakland and Antioch — expect that the outbreak could leave hundreds of pets needing care when their owners are hospitalized.
Pet owners are advised to make an emergency kit with food, at least two weeks of required medication and other necessary supplies such as a travel kennel or crate.
Pet owners should create a written emergency plan, including their name and contact information, their pet’s feeding schedule, vaccination and veterinarian information and any relevant information about medications and instructions for treatment.
Pet owners should also find a temporary caregiver among their family, friends, neighbors, pet sitter or local pet boarding facility. Animal shelters from the two counties warned that public shelters are not equipped to handle a large influx of pets needing long-term care.
“Having a plan will reduce your stress by providing peace of mind that your pets will be cared for,” the group of shelters said in a joint statement. “In addition, keeping public shelters free of long-term care animals allows them to be better prepared for the onset of kitten season, stray pets, and animal care cases that require immediate attention.”
Residents can find more information about protecting their pet in an emergency by contacting their local animal shelter.
12 comments
I was wondering, if it really came down to it and the family was all very sick, is there a humane way to put down your pets? Strange question I know, but would not want my beloved elderly dog to suffer, hungry and scared, without us.
Very touching, you really love your dog. You can contact your veterinarian. They are the best source for giving you instructions on what to do in this case. You would be making pre – arrangements.
I saw in the news that since the shelter in place order, more people are adopting pets to cope with their boredom while they are stuck at home.
I would hope people do not go extreme durning this time
Dawg that is a good thing
Oh brother.
There is a cat in Belgium that has COVID-19, got it from the owner who was positive. Lock up the owner and the cat.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/cat-in-belgium-first-to-test-positive-for-coronavirus-report
This is SOOOOO important, as a medial social worker we see people in the ED & in the hospital ALL THE TIME who have pets at home. Sometimes it is DAYS before we find out & often there is little we can do. Make a plan! Put a card in your wallet alerting ED staff of pets at home. Make sure SOMEONE has an extra key to your place. Stay safe out there!
There are pet sitters that can take your pets for weeks. Amber Guidotti in Martinez is with Rover. Amber takes small dogs. Easy to look her up just goggle.
One can refuse any medical treatment whatsoever, it is one’s right. Personally, I’d rather die in the comfort of my own home with my pets at my side than in a cold, stark, and impersonal hospital with a bunch of strangers.
My vet is closed.
Anybody know of any Veterinarians who are open?
Yes. Most are open.
Our dog just had surgery on Friday.
Your vet should probably have a referral number. That’s what they do.
Our vet is the best.
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