By now, you have heard about the growing concern around coronavirus, COVID-19. To date, the CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19 and, at this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. As pet parents, we understand you may have specific questions about how to keep your pets and families safe. We are here to support you through this evolving health concern. Our team is working to take all necessary precautions to prevent human to human contact to protect our team members, your family and your pets. We will continue to follow the guidelines put forth by the CDC, local government and our pet care partners throughout the nation. Internally, we have gathered our leadership team, safety leaders and key staff from all departments to create a preventative action plan.
Preventative Action Steps
Everyday, as part of our regular operations, our stores are cleaned and sanitized. We have increased and enhanced our cleaning procedures both in our facilities and our Fetch Shuttle transportation fleet. We have provided education and are encouraging healthy habits from our staff to help prevent COVID-19. While there are no indications to date that pets can become sick with COVID-19, there are ways we can reduce human to human spread of COVID-19. As preventative measures, Kennelwood is implementing the following new procedures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- For the time being, we will move forward with the elimination of pet’s personal belongings. Examples include bedding, blankets and toys.
- Kennelwood will provide leashes and collars for pets in our care. Upon drop off we ask Pet Parents to take their pet’s leash and collar home with them and ask that you bring them back at pickup.
- We are making efforts to limit our customer’s time spent in the store lobby by collecting credit card information in advance whenever possible. Kennelwood has a secure and encrypted platform to store customer’s credit card information for contactless payment.
- For the time being, we will not be offering tours of our facilities to limit human to human contact.
Pet Emergency Preparation
While you may be thinking about an emergency readiness plan for yourself and your family. Now is the time to think about your pet as well. The current recommendation from the CDC for anyone tested positive for COVID-19, is to find a caregiver for your pet outside of your home. Should you choose to entrust Kennelwood with the care of your furry family member, we recommend taking the time to complete our Pet Emergency Preparation Form. This form collects detailed information about your pet, their feeding and any medication needs. Having this information in advance allows our customer care team to provide an expedited reservation making experience in an emergency situation. Kennelwood is here to help you now and in the future. You can email our team of experts with questions on any pet care topic through our Ask the Expert section on Kennelwood.com. In preparation for a potential limited travel situation we are working to create multi day DayCamp options with heavily discounted boarding rates to allow customers who are forced to work from home a safe place for their pet. As we finalize these options we will share the details in a future communication.
Tips for Pet Parents Provided by ARF:
- Seek out reliable sources for updated information. The Centers for Disease Control, and the American Veterinary Medical Association are good places to go for information on the virus.
- If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, the CDC recommends you minimize contact with your animal companions.
- Have crates, food and extra supplies, including medications, on hand for quick movement of the pet. Two weeks’ worth of food, medicine and other supplies is recommended. A pet first-aid kit is also good to have for any unplanned situation.
- Ensure your animal’s vaccines are up-to-date in case boarding becomes necessary.
- Document all medications with dosages and administering directions, including prescriptions from your veterinarian if a refill becomes necessary.
- Pets should have identification such as an ID tag on their collar and a microchip. But remember, a microchip is only as good as the contact information registered to it.
- Follow CDC guidelines and wash your hands before and after handling pets.
- Pets don’t need masks.
Should the need to further our preventative measures occur, our leadership team, safety leaders and key staff from all departments have outlined additional stages of preventative protocols. As we continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC, local government and pet care partners throughout the nation, future protocols would include the practice of more intense social distancing of team members and pet parents. Our goal is to remain a healthy and sanitary facility to continue to provide services and support to pet parents and pets throughout this health concern.