STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
As the threat of a lockdown loomed due to the coronavirus, my neighbor rushed to Mountain Humane and adopted two kittens to replace his older cats, who had recently died.
Our pandemic pets are providing comfort and companionship in a world where we can’t reach out and touch our neighbors.
Emotional first responders, if you will.
There’s no evidence they can catch the virus, but their unconditional love is contagious.
But, with coronavirus now spreading through Blaine County, pet owners need to know what to do with Fido or Cheshire should the owners become ill or need to be hospitalized.
They also need to know how to access pet food given the fact that many grocery shelves have run out of pet food during the past week and given the fact that some community members have had reduced work hours due to businesses shutting down.
Mountain Humane is creating a community foster network to step in for hospitalized individuals who do not have anyone to care for their pets. The pets would be bathed with soap and water before being moved between households to ensure no virus is present on their coats.
Those who can help, should email foster@mountainhumane.org.
Mountain Humane suggests community members create a preparedness plan for their pets, as well as themselves. By creating a preparedness plan ahead of time, community members can do their part to ensure animal service resources do not become overwhelmed and their pets are spared unnecessary stress, said Mountain Humane’s Nate Liles.
● Identify a trusted family member or friend to care for your pets if someone in your household becomes ill or is hospitalized.
● Research potential boarding facilities to utilize in the event boarding your pet becomes necessary.
● Have crates and at least two weeks of food for your pet, in case moving them becomes necessary. Have extra food on hand, as well, in case you need to limit trips to the supermarket to avoid social exposure.
● All animal vaccines should be up to date in the event boarding becomes necessary.
● Ensure all medications are documented with dosages and administering instructions. Including the prescription from the prescribing veterinarian is also helpful. Ideally, owners should have a 2-week supply of medications on hand.
● Pets should have identification including a collar with current identification tags and a registered microchip.
Questions? Call Mountain Humane at 208.788.4351. Mountain Humane can also facilitate pet food assistance through its Paws for Hunger partnership with the Hunger Coalition.