From Our Family To Yours: Taking Care During The Covid-19 Outbreak
To Our Loyal Customers & NYC Pet Community,
With Coronavirus in the news, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the facts. While it can be scary to read about, this post is meant to inform over anything else. We want you, your pets, and everyone in your life to be happy and healthy. Let’s jump in and address what we know right now:
Let’s start with the basics… What is the Coronavirus?
According to the CDC, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was “first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.” The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. Unfortunately, there are still many unknowns at this point.
Can my pet get Coronavirus?
As a pet parent, we understand your concerns! While dogs may be at risk to contract certain types of coronaviruses, (ex. The canine respiratory coronavirus), COVID-19 is NOT believed to be a threat to pets.
The World Health Organization stated there have been no reported cases of coronavirus in domestic animals Of course, it’s still early days and this could change. It has been reported in the media that a household dog was tested as a “weak positive” overseas. Be mindful to keep up with the latest news to monitor for any updates. Of course, if you notice any changes in your pet’s health and/or behavior, take them to your local vet just to be sure.
How can we prevent Coronavirus?
Unfortunately, there is no current vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Naturally, the easiest way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure – however, we can’t lock ourselves inside forever! Plus, our furry friends love the outdoors.
As you go about your daily routine, keep these simple reminders with you:
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Regularly wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes.
While these may be actions you already practice every day, it’s always good to keep in mind and encourage others to do the same!
Business precautions we’re taking…
As your trusted pet care professionals, please know that we are doing everything we can to keep a safe and healthy environment for YOU, your pet’s, and our employees. It’s one thing to worry about yourself and your family with the spread of disease, but it adds another layer when you have a business to run and staff members to think about.
Image by vectorlab2D
How we’re keeping our employees healthy…
To keep YOU safe, we’re encouraging our staff members to stay home/work remotely if they’re feeling ill. We’re also mindful to provide things in each employee’s kit to encourage healthy habits; from hand sanitizer to alcohol/lysol wipes to latex gloves, we strive to provide a healthy and happy environment. In running a pet sitting/dog walking business, we know that our employees need to be super cognizant not to spread germs from house to house. Our basic protocol is for pet sitters and dog walkers to always wash their hands at the beginning and end of each visit, use their own gear when possible and to wipe doorknobs with disinfecting wipes.
As a business owner, my job isn’t to create panic but I do want to be mindful of the situation. Don’t jump to conclusions, but be ready to take action.
Policy for cancellation of Acts of God…
An “Act of God” is a legal term for events outside of human control, such as sudden floods or other natural disasters, for which no one can be held responsible. While illness is an unusual reason for declaring this policy, it certainly isn’t out of bounds.
As our loyal client (or a customer of ANY pet care company), if you have to cancel last-minute due to COVID-19, we’ll work with you on any refunds/rescheduling necessary. We ask that you please let us know sooner rather than later – and if you believe someone in your home or your pet to be ill, we’d prefer you to cancel any services you have booked.
That being said, if your employer is mandating you to work from home and you and your family are healthy, our standard cancelation policy will apply.
If you are able to work from home, we hope you will consider maintaining your pup’s normal schedule and allow our walkers to take them out for a potty break, walk, or sniff-session around the 'hood.
We understand that working from home with a dog comes with some complications - and if you need us to arrive at a more specific time to help get your doggo out of the background of your virtual meeting - we would be happy to accommodate.
If you'd still like us to come, but on an adjusted schedule - maybe while you're grabbing lunch or dinner from another local business? - please let us know. We will work with you to find a way to make us useful. Everyone is very healthy and happy to continue working during this time.
Resources to stay up to date!
Luckily, there are plenty of great resources so you can stay in the loop as more news comes out regarding COVID-19. These are the top two websites for official information:
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with conflicting news reports, blogs, and personal anecdotes – that’s why it’s crucial to keep up with the latest official information. If you have any other concerns or you’re looking for more tips and ideas in regards to caring for your pets during this outbreak, feel free to reach out to us. Be safe and stay healthy!
Best Wishes,
Leeland Allen Owner/CEO & Team
The Perfect Pooch NYC