With the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we would like to take a few minutes to reassure our current and future clients of Care Animal Hospital that the safety of our clients, employees, and community, is our number one priority. As a medical facility, we already have strict guidelines and protocols in place to protect the health of our clients and staff.
Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations (CDC, OIE, WHO) agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets can spread COVID-19 to other animals, including people.
What to do?
We encourage everyone to follow these best practices to help keep yourself and others healthy:
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after visiting the restroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or touching your face.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
– Consider staying home if you are feeling unwell.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then discard the tissue in the trash’
– Utilize disinfectant wipes and sprays.
Please refer to the following resource fo the latest updates on Coronavirus CDC.gov
Although there have not been reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19, out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. If you are ill with COVID-19, be sure to tell your physician and public health official that you have a pet or other animal in your home. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then 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. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. Additional guidance on managing pets in homes where people are sick with COVID-19 is available from the CDC.
For responsible pet owners, preparing in advance is key. Make sure you have an emergency kit prepared, with at least two weeks’ worth of your pet’s food and any needed medications. Usually, we think about emergency kits like this in terms of what might be needed for an evacuation, but it’s also good to have one prepared in the case of quarantine or self-isolation when you cannot leave your home.
While we are recommending these as good practices, it is important to remember there is currently no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19 to other animals, including people.
During this time, it is our goal to maintain safety with minimal disruption of services to our patients. Please be assured that our facility is a safe place. We will continue to closely follow the CDC recommendations and will adjust our protocols as advised.
Sincerely,
Joe Alcorn, DVM
Brian Murphy, DVM
& the staff of
Care Animal Hospital
29738 Rancho California Rd, #A
Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 676-4690
