PROTECTING PETS
Ulster County SPCA advises pet owners to have plans for animal care if they become sick
KINGSTON, N.Y. » Pet owners should have plans in place for the care of their animals in the event they are sick or hospitalized with the coronavirus according to Ulster County SPCA director Gina Carbonari.
That plan should provide for your pet “potentially even for the rest of its life,” Carbonari said. “It’s part of being a responsible pet owner.”
“The health and safety of our pets and the community is our top priority,” Carbonari said. “According to the World Health Organization, there is ‘no evidence that companion animals have been infected or could spread coronavirus.’ Our biggest concern is pet owners not having a plan in place for their pets if they become ill.”
“We are often asked, ‘what
do you need?’ or ‘how can I help?’ What we really need is for everyone to identify a friend or family member as their pet’s guardian in an emergency and help prevent the strain on shelters that may become inundated and bottlenecked with too many pets coming in. Having that plan in place tremendously helps every shelter,” she said.
Additionally, in a press release, the Ulster SPCA announced “protocols to ensure that no shelter pet lives are lost as a result of increasing concerns around the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Carbonari said the shelter
is sensitive to the needs of families that are struggling financially and its pet food pantry is open. “Lack of food should not be the reason you have to give up a family member,” she said.
Carbonari said the SPCA is following guidance and protocols provided by American Pets Alive!, a national animal welfare education and outreach nonprofit, that are designed to help shelters prepare.
“The Ulster County SPCA has also put in place protective protocols for pet owners, to continue providing community assistance while also practicing CDC guidelines to ‘flatten the curve’ of the outbreak,” the press release stated.
The societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals
in both Ulster and Dutchess counties are looking for families to adopt and foster animals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday morning, Carbonari said the shelter had 23 dogs, with a capacity for 25, and about 50 cats, with space for about 75. In emergencies, she said, the shelter’s capacity can be increased slightly.
Anyone interested in adopting or fostering an animal in order to free up space at the shelter should visit the SPCA website where they can view available animals and fill out adoption and foster care applications.
Once approved, Carbonari said, arrangements can be made for families to meet the animal they’ve selected (outside for dogs and
on premises for cats) and to pick up their new pets. She said social distancing is observed throughout the process and there is “no direct contact” between visitors and SPCA staff.
Carbonari said there has been a “great response” to the agency’s call for fostering and there is a large pool of individuals available to open their homes, often within 24 hours of making contact. All of the animals available for fostering and adoption have been “vetted and cleared,” she said.
At all times, and especially during this pandemic, the SPCA urges owners to make certain their pets are wearing licenses and ID tags with contact information and, if microchipped, that their microchip is up to date.
Carbonari said the shelter continues to employ its staff, that there have been no layoffs and “we’re not going to” lay off anyone. “Our staff are folks who — every day — they give and give and give because they love animals,” she said.
While the Ulster County shelter’s clinic has been largely shut down, aside from emergency surgeries, the SPCA continues to offer dog control and humane law enforcement services, Carbonari said. And, because the shelter’s major annual fundraiser was canceled in March, the need for donations has risen.
To donate to the Ulster County SPCA, visit ucspca. org or call (845) 331-5377, or visit them on Facebook.
The Dutchess County
SPCA activated its Emergency COVID-19 Plan in midMarch in anticipation of an influx of animals, according to the shelter website.
The shelter, its Paws for a Cause Thrift Shoppe and the Adoption and Education Center were closed to the public except adoption appointments on March 23.
According to the website, the Dutchess shelter “desperately” needs more emergency foster families to clear kennel space they anticipate needing to accommodate new animals. To become a foster family or adopt a pet in Dutchess County, visit the website and fill out an emergency fostering application.
Once the form is complete, call (845) 452-7722, ext. 420, to arrange to meet with an adoption counselor.