COVID-19 Daily Digest | Monday, March 16

March 17th, 2020

AmPA! COVID-19 UPDATES

The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) is advising the following measures be taken immediately in municipal and municipal-contracted open-admission shelters:

  1. Suspend all non-emergency intake
  2. Don't intake cats or kittens for any reason at this time unless they're sick, injured or in immediate danger
  3. Municipal and contracted agencies are essential public services and should remain open with modified operations

The University of Florida published recommendations on how animal shelters should manage COVID-19 exposed animals, including three options for decontaminating pets, how to support shelter staff, the importance of keeping pets in the home, asking your community for help, and more.

The CDC released guidelines for COVID-19 patients with pets recovering at home, stating again that at this time ‘there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19.’

Helpful Resources

The AmPA! COVID-19 Preparedness Guide launched Friday, March 13. This consistently up-to-date site offers shelters and rescues resources to maintain lifesaving operations during this pandemic. The guide currently includes more than 25 ready-to-use, editable protocols, like protocol Fundraising During COVID-19 Outbreak and Remote Adoption/Foster Protocol. You will also find an ever-growing resource list with more than a dozen templates’ lives, including an Emergency Foster Application and the National Animal Control Association’s Statement on Animal Control Functions During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Read the latest AmPA blog Open Fostering: Removing Barrier to Fostering During the COVID-19 Pandemic, by Kristen Hassen-Auerbach for everything you need to quickly implement an emergency foster protocol. This is a critical time for your organization to pilot an emergency foster program and loosen the old restrictions that prevent animals from leaving alive.

Story of the Day

Rosenberg Animal Control and Shelter, in Rosenberg Texas, is looking for a foster, adopter or rescue to help mama dog Montana Moon, and her 10 newborn puppies. Mama Moon is adored by staff and volunteers. Montana Moon loves everyone she meets regardless of species, welcoming affection from humans, dogs, cats, and even kittens! Last week when she met two rambunctious little felines, she greeted them with kisses and motherly love. If you or someone you know can help Montana Moon contact the Rosenberg Animal Shelter [email protected] or call the shelter at (832) 595-3490.

Do you have a story you would like seen as the "story of the day"? Send them to [email protected].

Is Your Shelter Prepared?

The AmPA! COVID-19 Animal Shelter Readiness Checklist will ensure preparedness for lifesaving, even in the case of quarantine, shutdown, or staff shortage! Join the movement of COVID-19 Ready Shelters and be prepared to save animal lives. COVID-Prepared shelters are listed on our website and the COVID Prepared Map visualize this proactive nationwide effort.

Stay Connected

Join us tomorrow as Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Kristen Hassen-Auerbach talk about the six key strategies you need to maintain big dog lifesaving during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be LIVE with an interactive session and Q&A on big dogs and COVID-19 this Wednesday, March 18 at 6pm PT / 8pm CT. You won't want to miss this! Sign up now!

Read the entire American Pets Alive! COVID-19 Preparedness Guide for a complete set of protocols to maintain lifesaving while protecting the health of staff and volunteers and follow American Pets Alive! on social media for up-to-the-minute updates and information. For this conversation and others, join the American Pets Alive! Shelter and Rescue Support Facebook Page.


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