With Coronavirus in the news, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the facts. While
it can be scary to read about, this post is meant to inform over anything else. I want
you, your pets, and everyone in your life to be happy and healthy. Let’s jump in and
address what we know right now:

Let’s start with the basics… What is the Coronavirus?

According to the CDC , Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was “first detected in
Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal
market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. Unfortunately, there
are still many unknowns at this point.

Can my pet get Coronavirus?

As a pet parent, I understand your concerns! While dogs may be at risk to contract
certain types of coronaviruses, (ex. The canine respiratory coronavirus), COVID-19 is NOT believed to be a threat to pets.

The World Health Organization stated there have been no reported cases of
coronavirus in domestic animals. Of course, it’s still early days and this could change.
Be mindful to keep up with the latest news to monitor for any updates. Of course, if
you notice any changes in your pet’s health and/or behavior, take them to your local
vet just to be sure.

How can we prevent Coronavirus?

Unfortunately, there is no current vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Naturally, the easiest
way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure – however, we can’t lock ourselves inside
forever! Plus, our furry friends love the outdoors.
As you go about your daily routine, keep these simple reminders with you:
● Stay home when you are sick.
● Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
● Regularly wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
● Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular
household cleaning sprays or wipes.

While these may be actions you already practice every day, it’s always good to keep in
mind and encourage others to do the same!

Business precautions we’re taking…

Our work with your pets is highly independent. Even though we work "as a team" we don't necessarily work "IN a team". Even our meetings or one on ones are already via online technology. As such, our exposure to illness via our work is very limited. If you are asked to work from home (and are not ill) we can still help you to get your work done while we get Fido outside for a good, healthy walk (and get those zoomies and barkies out so you can focus on being productive).

However, as your trusted Pet Care Specialists, please know that we are doing everything we can to keep a safe and healthy environment for YOU, your pets, and our employees. It’s one thing
to worry about yourself and your family with the spread of disease, but it adds another
layer when you have a business to run and staff members to think about.

How we’re keeping our employees healthy…

To keep YOU safe, we’re encouraging our staff members to stay home
if they’re feeling ill. We’re also mindful to provide things around the office and to
our staff individual to encourage healthy habits; from hand sanitizer to alcohol wipes, we strive to provide a healthy and happy environment.

In running a pet sitting/dog walking business, we know that our employees need to be
super cognizant not to spread germs from house to house. Our basic protocol is for pet
sitters and dog walkers to always wash their hands at the beginning and end of each
visit.

As a business owner, my job isn’t to create panic but I do want to be mindful of the
situation, not jump to conclusions, but be ready to take action.

Policy for cancellation of Acts of God

An “Act of God” is a legal term for events outside of human control, such as sudden
floods or other natural disasters, for which no one can be held responsible. While
illness is an unusual reason for declaring this policy, it certainly isn’t out of bounds.
As our loyal client, if you have to cancel pet sitting services last-minute due to COVID-19 and travel changes, we’ll work with you on any refunds/rescheduling. We ask that you please let us know sooner rather than later – and if you believe someone in your home or your pet to be ill, we’d prefer
you to cancel any services you have booked.

Resources to stay up to date!

Luckily, there are plenty of great resources so you can stay in the loop as more news
comes out regarding COVID-19. These are the top two websites for official
information:
● World Health Organization
● Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with conflicting news reports, blogs, and personal
anecdotes – that’s why it’s crucial to keep up with the latest official information. If
you have any other concerns or you’re looking for more tips and ideas, feel free to
reach out to me. Be safe and stay healthy!