Welfare of pets still a priority in lockdown

WHILE the focus is understandably on the preservation of human life during the Covid-19 pandemic, the welfare of our four-legged friends is still a high priority for vets.

Joe Moffitt, the current President of the Veterinary Council of Ireland, runs a veterinary clinic in the Irishtown in New Ross and although listed as an essential worker, his daily operations have been altered by the coronavirus.

‘Our work is considered to be essential so we are carrying on as normal,’ said Joe. ‘But although the work is the same, the background is completely different; animals are still giving birth, we’re still doing meat inspections in the factories, but we’re doing these jobs while adhering to the measures put in place by the government, wearing face masks and PPE.’

One of those measures has seen Joe and his colleagues in the veterinary industry completely isolate from one another, a measure designed to minimise the chances of multiple cases among vets in the region.

‘All the vets are isolated from one another, and all the front office staff are isolated from us in every clinic so that if one of us gets the virus, it won’t be passed on.

‘But there’s still risks. Going to farms is a risk, driving around you could be carrying the virus in or out, there’s a risk both ways; but you can’t socially distance when you’re birthing a calf. At the end of the day, we just have to respect one another’s needs,’ Joe said.

Of course, it’s not just farm animals which require care, and Joe says supporting pet owners during the lockdown is of particular importance.

Citing instances where people may live alone and rely on pets for company, Joe said: ‘In terms of pets in the home, the health of the animal and the owner are inextricably linked, so we’re still seeing pets, but obviously under different circumstances.

‘We’re seeing a lot of people outside rather than indoors, they may have to wait in their car and we’ll meet them somewhere,’ he said.

With over 30 years experience as a vet, Joe is keen to alleviate the concerns of those worried about the welfare of their pets during the lockdown.

‘Even in a crisis situation like this, the welfare of an animal has to be supported,’ he said. ‘The vets are there for people and they will be throughout, however, the cicrumstances may be different because of the restrictions.