March 17, 2020 | Tags: advice, disaster, pet care, safety
Our top priority is the safety of our employees, clients, and their pets. Fetch! Pet Care franchise locations continue to operate as usual and we want to assure you that our team is staying current on all developments surrounding the virus. We are monitoring updates from the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and American Veterinary Medical Association, and following their specific recommendations. We are also closely monitoring Federal, state, county and city authorities as well.
Continuing Pet Care Services During Coronavirus Pandemic
Many of our clients have been asked to work from home as a precaution. If you are fortunate to work from home and do not have any symptoms, please consider letting your walker keep their normally scheduled walks. Our Pet Care Providers depend on the regular income of their walks so any dramatic reduction in pay will put them into immediate hardship. This consideration will help us retain our amazing staff for your future needs. As you can imagine those of us in the pet care industry are no stranger to repetitive hand washing!
Preventative Measures to Contain the Coronavirus Pandemic
We are asking our Pet Care Providers and clients to join us in following these simple preventative measures that can help keep us safe:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Have cleaning spray and/or wipes available around your home. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects or surfaces often. This includes dog leashes!
- Wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- No handshaking! Elbow or fist bumps only.
- Use elbows and your bum to open doors. Knuckles to turn on lights, etc.
- Carry hand sanitizer (+60% alcohol) with you and use a small amount often to keep hands free of germs.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Drink lots of fluids.
- If you have concerns about your health or any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Taking Action if Symptoms of Coronavirus Occur
If you are feeling sick, or if the virus has impacted your need for pet care, we encourage you to cancel any Fetch! services rather than risk spreading germs to others. Our Pet Care Providers are monitoring their health for any symptoms and will stop performing services as needed to keep them and the community they serve safe.
Everyone at Fetch! Pet Care is concerned about our families, friends and our clients. You and your pets are family to us. Working together we will all get through this challenging time.
How Do I Care for My Pet if I Have Coronavirus?
If you have tested positive for the disease, have another member of the household take care of walking, feeding and playing with your pet. If it is a service animal, or you have to take care of your pet yourself, wear a facemask. Don’t share food, kiss or hug them, and wash your hands before and after any contact with your pet or service animal.
These recommendations are just a precaution, though. The AVMA stressed that although they do recommend these things, there is still no evidence that pets can spread the coronavirus to other animals or people.
Click here to learn more about Coronavirus from the American Kennel Club
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