COVID-19

In light of the serious health risks to vulnerable populations and guidance from medical professionals, Pet Rescue is taking the following steps to ensure a safe environment for our adopters, volunteers, staff and animals.

1. Kennel / Kitty Cottage Changes

• Effective immediately, Pet Rescue headquarters will be closed to the public until further notice because of the current health crisis. Safety for our volunteers, staff, fosters and adopters is our primary concern during this time. The facility will still be minimally staffed with those caring for our animals. Please note the following changes:
  • Adoptions will continue but by appointment only
  • The clinic will be closed for routine business and will handle emergencies only
  • Intake of animals will be generally restricted during this time
• COVID-19 is contagious for humans and, as of now, is understood to spread primarily from person to person. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association states there is no evidence that dogs or cats can be a source of infection to other animals or humans. However, this is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available ( https://wsava.org/news/highlighted-news/the-new-coronavirus-and-companion-animals-advice-for-wsava-members/ )

2. Gala has been postponed to October 8, 2020

• The gala has been postponed until Thursday, October 8th, 2020 from 6:30 - 10:30pm
• All participants that have paid for a sponsorship or tickets will be offered either a refund or the option to roll the money forward to the new date

3. Volunteers / Staff Considerations

• Any volunteer who has come in contact with anyone who has either tested positive for COVID-19 or who is suspected of having it should contact the board immediately so we can notify those who you may have come in contact with
• Anyone potentially exposed to COVID-19 should not visit the kennel and should consult a medical professional about isolating yourself from others
• You should frequently wash your hands and liberally use hand sanitizer
• Throw away gloves used during cleaning and disinfecting and wash hands after you take the gloves off
• Launder on warmest water setting
• Good general purpose cleaning solution = 1/3 cup bleach to a gallon of water

Below are some useful resources related to the COVID-19:

• Live dashboard created at John Hopkins University to track spread of COVID-19 - https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
• New York State Department of Health Information on Coronavirus - https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
• CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
• Animal Sheltering magazine recently released the following tool kit for those working and volunteering in a shelter - https://www.animalsheltering.org/COVID19

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for your understanding during this crisis. We will continue to update you as this situation evolves.

Thanks,

Pet Rescue BOD

Joan Keating
Paul Katzenstein
Gina Antiaris
Ira Block
Paul Curtis
Lynn Ingrassia
Pier Witek