What do you do if your pet needs veterinary care during the coronavirus pandemic? Caring for our pets is a bit different right now, but there are still plenty of resources available, should you need them.
Veterinary Care During the Coronavirus Pandemic
If you are a pet owner or fostering, and your pet needs care during the COVID-19 outbreak, the best thing to do is call your veterinarian. They’ll be able to provide recommendations for routine care over the phone, or let you know how their office is adapting, given current social distancing procedures. A few other simple tips:
- Call first to ask about any potential procedures, so your vet can provide advice on how to handle your situation. Postpone non-urgent care, if you can.
- Get prescriptions delivered or arrange for curbside pick-up vs. going into the office.
- Ask about whether your pet might qualify for a virtual appointment.
- If your pet needs emergency care, make sure you’re adhering to current social distancing procedures, and call ahead for directions on visiting the office, including recommended usage of masks or PPE.
- Best Friends also offers the Best Friends Vet Access App, which connects you immediately to a licensed veterinarian via phone or video call. The service is free for the first thirty days, and if you are currently fostering, you may even be eligible to download the app for free altogether.
If You Are Struggling Financially Due to COVID-19
- Pet Food Banks offering assistance. Additional programs exist to help with other pet-related expenses.
- If you’re struggling to care for a pet due to COVID-19 try to avoid taking them to a shelter that may already be overwhelmed. Consider pet rehoming as a better option.
How to Help Pets in Need During the Coronavirus Pandemic
There are a number of ways to help pets in need as well as the shelters that care for them. Here are three simple ways to take action right now:
- Adopt a pet or foster
- Call your local shelter and ask how you can help
- Donate through the Petfinder Foundation or directly to your local organization
If You Work for a Shelter or Rescue and Need Resources
- If your organization has been impacted by Coronavirus/COVID-19, The Petfinder Foundation may be able to help.
- If you need fosters for animals in your care, GreaterGood.org is compiling a list of shelters and rescues looking for foster families, and matching those groups with fostering volunteers from the national community. Just fill out this quick survey so they can better understand your needs and location.
- There are a number of manuals, resources and handy guidelines available to help shelters adapt. It may also be helpful to stay tuned to the latest COVID-19 news in the shelter and rescue industry.
