Gov. bans non-essential veterinary procedures

The Michigan governor has banned all non-essential veterinary procedures during the COVID-19 crisis.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Monday that places a temporary restriction on the procedures beginning Tuesday.

The order also encourages veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice telemedicine as much as possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“While there is no evidence that pets can transmit COVID-19, we must take additional steps to promote social distancing,” Whitmer said in a news release. “If we want to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19, all Michiganders must do their part, stay in their homes, and stay 6 feet away from others when they’re outside. We’ve taken aggressive steps in the past three weeks to slow the spread of the virus, and I will continue to work every day to ensure we protect the most people we can.”

Under order No. 2020-32, “non-essential veterinary services” means all procedures other than those that are necessary to preserve the life of a pet, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; necessary to treat serious pain that threatens the health and safety of a pet, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; necessary to euthanize a pet, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; or necessary to treat or prevent the transmission of any infectious disease that can be transmitted between animals and human beings, as determined by a licensed veterinarian.

The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/ Coronavirus and CDC.gov/ Coronavirus.