GUELPH – The Guelph Humane Society (GHS) wants to remind the community that with the number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Guelph and Wellington County, it is important for pet guardians to include their pets in family preparedness and emergency plans.
GHS says it wants to avoid pets being unintentionally abandoned in homes, if an individual is hospitalized. Ensuring you have a way to care for your pet’s health and safety if you cannot, will minimizing stress for you, your family, and for your pet.
“This pandemic has been a challenging and uncertain time for all of us, and our pets provide such comfort and security during these times of stress,” says Adrienne McBride, Executive Director. “Our pets are family and knowing that they are safe and loved is so important during uncertain times.”
GHS has the following tips to help pet owners include their pets in an emergency preparedness plan:
1. Prepare an emergency kit: Keep at least a two-week supply of pet food and water for your pets, as well as any medications they may need, and a travel crate properly labeled with your pet’s name and your contact information.
Other preparedness resources can be found here:
• BCSPCA Pet Emergency Checklist
• DocuPet Pet Emergency Checklist
2. Create a written emergency plan for each pet: Include your name and contact information, your pet’s feeding schedule, any medical conditions and treatment instructions. Document your pet’s vaccination status and list the contact information for your veterinarian. Keep this information with your emergency kit.
3. Identify trusted family or friends who can care for your pets, if you are unable to. It is recommended to have at least three options lined up, in case they also become sick or hospitalized. Ensure you have spoken with these individuals before you consider them an option and document their name, phone number, email, and address for easy access.
In event, a pet owner does not have family or friends to help with their pet, the Guelph Humane Society recommends contacting them to discuss other options.
For updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the Guelph Humane Society operations, and other ways to prepare for your pet in an emergency, visit https://guelphhumane.ca/covid-19-updates/ to learn more.
