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What is the Humane Society of the United States doing to address this crisis?

We launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund to support animal shelters, rescue groups and other organizations that are responding to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the goal of keeping people and their pets together during this crisis. Contributions to the fund are being used to provide veterinary care, pet food, horse feed and animal care supplies, as well as other costs related to caring for animals during the outbreak. View our interactive map to see where the emergency grants have been dispersed across the country.

Early in the outbreak, we assembled a toolkit for animal shelters to help them respond to the needs of the communities that they serve and are in close contact with our Shelter and Rescue Partners to share information. Our Pets for Life program, which supports pet owners in underserved areas, has delivered additional supplies to senior and immobile clients and is modifying spay/neuter and veterinary appointments to maintain those valuable services within guidelines. Client visits by Pets for Life teams are shifting to phone outreach and delivery of food and medications to avoid close contact for at-risk clients. The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association has worked with our state directors to ensure that veterinary services and other animal care needs are identified as essential businesses. HSVMA is also helping veterinarians adapt to telemedicine and ensuring that providers are able to offer those services.

The staff and volunteers at our animal care centers remain committed to ensuring the animals have no gap in care. Society may be on hold, but our work for animals in critical need is not. Rest assured, the proper diet and care of these animals will never be compromised. We are fully committed to our sanctuary residents. They came from cruel situations and we will not let them down now or ever. Our sanctuaries already practice excellent standards of disease prevention and we're prepared for necessary changes in supply chains and staffing. While our staff continue full steam ahead to make sure that the animals who rely on us receive the highest quality care, they continue to update their wishlist of supplies.

View the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch Wishlist

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Help keep people and pets together.

Pet owners hit hardest by COVID-19 will soon be facing immense financial barriers to veterinary access and other animal care services. They need your help.

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Pets for Life client and her dog
Nicole Rosenberg

What is being done at the state level?

Our state directors all across the country are asking emergency managers and other officials to ensure that critical animal needs, such as the care of animals in various settings and the ability for animal care personnel to perform their duties, are addressed in emergency orders.

Many are working with local pet food banks by encouraging donations, helping with delivery and posting resources online. Find your state and follow along on social media! State Facebook pages are being updated several times daily about the need for fosters and pet/human COVID-19 facts, plus what people can do to help shelters and each other with pet needs. State Directors are also responding to inquiries from shelters and ACOs regarding management during this crisis and reaching out to shelters to assess what the most urgent needs are.

Example of Pennsylvania Outreach

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Dog with leash
damedeeso
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Should I have a preparedness plan for my pet(s)?

In the event of a crisis or disaster, we urge everyone to have a preparedness plan in place. And, get the word out! Remind community members that having a plan for pets is critical; individuals who become sick or require hospitalization will need to have someone to take their animals. If you can, please endure the current situation from the safety of your own home. 

Some steps to take include:

  • Identify a family member or friend who can care for pets if someone in the household becomes too ill to care for pets.
  • Have crates, food and extra supplies on hand for movement and relocation of pets if necessary.
  • Keep all animal vaccines up to date and have copies of those records available in the event that boarding becomes necessary.
  • Ensure that all medications are documented with dosages and administering directions. It’s a good idea to include the prescription from your veterinarian with the medications and your pet’s to-go bag.
  • Pets should have proper identification: a collar with ID tag and a microchip with current, up-to date contact information.

We understand not everyone has a personal support system or the financial means to meet the above recommendations. When experiencing difficulty in creating a preparedness response, please reach out to local shelters and animal service agencies to find out what support is available. During this crisis, there may be options of temporary housing for pets, donated supplies, subsidized veterinary services and more available to help people care for and stay together with their pets.

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Sharegraphic about COVID-19 with a picture of a pet dog

Can my pet get COVID-19?

People confirmed to have COVID-19 (or who are symptomatic or believe themselves to have been exposed) should avoid contact with other people as well as with pets, avoiding not only all contact but also sharing any food. If a sick person must care for animals during their illness, it’s important they practice good hygiene; they should wash their hands before and after any interactions with their pet. For more information, see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines.

The CDC and the World Organisation for Animal Health have issued advisories saying there is no evidence at this time that companion animals can spread the COVID-19 virus to people. On a related note, in early April, the Bronx Zoo confirmed that several of its big cats became ill and one of its tigers tested positive for the virus, likely after being exposed to a zoo employee who was shedding the virus.

The WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Global Veterinary Community—an association representing more than 200,000 veterinarians—also states that the evidence strongly indicates that COVID-19 cannot be contracted from pets. The association does, however, caution that there is still much we don't know and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

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Dr. Gail Hansen, DVM, MPH of our affiliate, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, said, “At this time there is nothing that shows pets can spread COVID-19 and there’s no reason to think pets might be a source of infection. It is always good for people to practice careful hand washing after handling a pet and after picking up and disposing pet waste. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick, so you and your pet can get the best care. Our pets provide a very important and positive role in our lives.”

Read More on "A Humane World" Blog

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The coronavirus (COVID-19) has introduced a good deal of uncertainty into our lives, but being prepared can make a world of difference. Watch this video to hear a veterinarian answer questions about pets and the coronavirus.

How can I keep my home clean AND safe for my pets?

Some cleaners that help prevent COVID-19 aren’t safe for your pets.

  • Keep pets out of rooms where you’re using cleaners that contain bleach, alcohol and other powerful chemicals.

  • Don’t leave cleaners out where your pets could stick their paws into them.

  • Follow the product instructions—some cleaners need to sit for a bit to be effective, but surfaces can then be rinsed to avoid burning tender paws.

  • If your pet needs a bath, only use products intended for bathing pets. Other cleaners can hurt them.

Read More From All Animals Magazine

What can I do to help animals and shelters during this crisis?

ADOPT OR FOSTER

Now is a great time to adopt a pet to reduce the potential strain on shelters and to offer to foster in case shelters start receiving an increase in requests for foster care of pets for seriously ill or hospitalized people. Please reach out to shelters and rescue groups in your area for more information. 

Fosters can also be lifesavers for pets who can't adapt to shelter life, those who need to be nursed back to health and orphaned animals who need someone to step in for their mom (or whose needs are beyond what busy shelter staff can often provide).

This uncertain and stressful time is also a wonderful opportunity to unify behind a common love of animals. COVID-19 does not discriminate; people from all backgrounds and communities will be impacted. A deep connection to animals transcends socio-economic, racial, ethnic and geographic boundaries and honoring that bond with compassion, not judgement, is a very simple yet impactful way to contribute positively in your community during this crisis.

Portrait of a cute cat in a shelter
Julie Busch Branaman
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For The HSUS

OFFER SUPPORT AND SUPPLIES

Check with your local shelter or rescue to see how you can support them during this crisis. Your generosity will be gratefully accepted, particularly during this stressful time. Consider donating supplies, both through your local animal shelter and other agencies like human food banks.

TIP: Amazon recently announced that they will "temporarily prioritize household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products." While placing orders, shop on AmazonSmile and select the Humane Society of the United States as your preferred charity so a portion of your purchase supports our work at this critical time!

For people living in poverty and underserved communities, pet support services are more important than ever during this crisis. Low wage families and people working hourly wage jobs are being hit hard with loss of income and no paid time off from work. Currently, and in the coming months, there will be additional financial struggles and barriers for large numbers of people in accessing resources and affordable care and supplies for pets, and therefore a huge demand on these service agencies. Check in with your local animal shelter and ask how you can become involved in supporting the community.

Other Ways to Help Your Local Shelter or Rescue

We also encourage suspension of fees and fines (return-to-owner, licensing, etc.) similar to the way companies and municipalities are suspending late fees and utility turn-offs. With kindness, compassion and flexibility, we can work toward all pets and the people that love them staying together during this crisis.

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Do you have resources specifically to help animal shelters and rescues deal with COVID-19?

With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the rise worldwide, it is important for shelters and rescues to be prepared for the impact this may have on their staff and their community. View additional resources and information to help you take proactive steps to prepare.

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Where can I get help if I am experiencing financial hardship and need help covering costs for pet care?

Please refer to our list of organizations that provide financial support for pet owners.

COVID-19 Relief Fund grants are also being provided to shelters, rescues and community partners that support pet ownership through emergency pet food distribution, veterinary care and other services to keep pets and their families together.

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What about small businesses that serve the needs of pet owners?

If necessary, we will work with state governments to encourage authorities to define veterinary services, animal control and access to pet food and supplies as essential services that must remain open if additional business closures are ordered.

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How can future pandemics like COVID-19 be prevented?

We can reduce the risk of future pandemics like COVID-19 by reducing close interactions between wild animals and humans, particularly in those cases where many animals of many different species are mixed together in close confinement. As we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the SARS epidemic before it, concentrations of wildlife in markets is a high risk to public health. We are asking governments around the world to ban the wildlife trade (including wildlife markets like that which spawned the virus that caused COVID-19), transport and consumption.

Read More on "A Humane World" Blog

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Additional resources

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