USA TODAY International Edition
Experts say pets won’t spread the coronavirus
Reports of widespread boarding of animals in fear unfounded
The claim: Pets don’t spread the coronavirus
Several Facebook posts have circulated in recent days claiming that pet owners are dropping off their pets at shelters in fear the animals could spread the coronavirus.
One post from a Facebook page called “Santa Paws Little Helper” had more than 265,000 shares as of Monday. It has since been taken down.
“Pets carry no threat and do not spread the virus,” the post said. “Fake news is causing stupid people to drop off pets at shelters.”
In the post’s comment section, the page pointed to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection as saying there is no known reason to believe that pets can spread COVID- 19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, in the United States.
A message to the Facebook page seeking more information was not returned.
What experts know about coronavirus in pets
This novel coronavirus belongs to a family of viruses, some of which cause illness in people and some of which affect certain types of animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers have linked the novel coronavirus’ origin to a live animal market in Wuhan, China. It’s believed to have animal origins, possibly in bats. But the CDC’s website states there is no evidence that companion animals can spread the virus.
So far, two dogs have tested positive for the virus, both in Hong Kong. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the canines became infected after “close exposure” to owners sick with the disease. But the organization reports there is no evidence that dogs have shown any clinical signs of the virus or that they have played a role in its spread.
The CDC’s website states the agency has also not received reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID- 19. IDEXX Laboratories, a veterinary diagnostic company, reported on March 13 that it had evaluated thousands of cats and dogs while validating a new veterinary test system for the virus and had seen “no positive results” of the novel coronavirus.
Health experts have not ruled out the possibility of animals’ bodies serving as “fomites,” or surfaces that virus particles can land on and be transmitted by touch – for example, if someone sneezed on their pet’s fur and another person immediately touched the same spot. But porous and fibrous surfaces like pet fur are less likely to transmit the virus than hard surfaces, according to the veterinary association.
Preston Moore, Iowa state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said his organization is recommending, as a precaution, that pets get a bath when they’re sent home from an animal shelter.
Are shelters seeing an influx of pets because owners are afraid they’ll spread the virus?
Moore said it’s too early to tell whether there has been an overall increase or decrease in animal surrenders because of the virus. Other animal groups agree there is not yet a widespread proof of animal shelters inundated with pet drop- offs.
Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the group’s adoption center in New York City, the place that has so far been hit the hardest by the virus, has not seen an increase in stray intakes or in owners bringing in pets for virus- related reasons.
In Washington, the first state to report a case of coronavirus, a representative with Seattle’s joint information center said in an email that the city is “not aware of owner concerns regarding pets catching the virus.” The city has not reported a significant increase of animals dropped off, although nearly 50% fewer pets have been adopted this month. The city is preparing for an influx as the outbreak continues.
Dr. Warren Hess, assistant director of the Division of Animal and Public Health at the American Veterinary Medical Association, said pet owners should enjoy their animals rather than worry about them catching or spreading the virus, pointing to how animals can be a comfort to those under stress. “Animals are not part of the problem during this COVID emergency, but they might be part of the solution,” he said.
Our ruling: True
Health professionals agree there is no evidence that pets can contract the coronavirus in a way that makes them sick.
Despite more than 450,000 reported cases around the world, veterinary experts say they have no reason to believe the coronavirus can spread from an infected pet to a human, or that pets have become sick because of the disease. And multiple animal organizations say they’re unaware of a widespread trend in owners surrendering their animals at shelters in fear they can spread the virus.