Coronavirus has impact on dogs and cats, as pet day cares struggle and SPCA alters work
Kim Strong
Karla Johnson bought her pet business six months ago, and she's worried.
"We've taken a huge hit. We've taken a huge loss," Johnson said. "I put everything I had into buying this place."
Despite the need for dog and cat day cares, Morgan's Paws Pet Care Center in York has seen its daily fur population cut in half, as people are working from home or aren't able to work at all. A healthy economy six months ago has taken an unprecedented nosedive from the worldwide COVID-19 infection.
While it isn't a known threat to the four-legged population, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the virus is having an impact.
"At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 or that they might be a source of infection in the United States," the CDC said in a statement.
Pet day cares throughout the country are grappling with virus worries, though, as they balance the need to protect their staffs, keep people employed, and take care of the fur population they serve.
SPCA adjusts for virus
The York County SPCA has altered its normal operations in light of COVID-19.
It has closed its doors - while still taking care of dogs and cats - until March 30. It will not perform spay and neuter surgery while its clinic is closed.
Appointments need to be made for all surgeries, and they will be postponed until the clinic reopens on Monday, March 30, according to Executive Director Steven Martinez.
The SPCA remains a working home for cats and dogs, but instead of allowing the public to congregate for surgeries and adoptions, the office has chosen to keep its doors closed for now to keep its staff healthy.
Dogs and cats remain available for adoption, by appointment only.
"Everybody's at home now," Martinez said. "That's a perfect time for a new fur baby."
His office can care for 80 dogs and 250 cats at one time, and it is close to its capacity now.
"The animals that are under our roof now are fine," Martinez said.
While the SPCA's open-door policy has changed temporarily, the dogs and cats housed there will continue to receive the dog walks and attention they normally receive. The office has 50 employees and about 440 active volunteers.
Last year, it housed 5,700 animals and performed more than 9,000 sterilization surgeries, Martinez said.
The SPCA also investigates animal cruelty and neglect cases with a full-time Humane Society officer.
"We're proud to have that (officer), but it's an expensive thing," he said. Donations can be made on the YCSPCA website.
Can pets get the virus?
In a statement by the Centers for Disease Control:
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others cause illness in certain types of animals.
Coronaviruses that infect animals can become able to infect people, but this is rare.
We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
We do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19.
We do not have evidence to suggest that animals or animal products imported from China pose a risk for spreading the 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States.
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Virus hits home
Karla Johnson started as Morgan's Paws' first employee 16 years ago. So, when she had the opportunity in August, she bought the business.
Then, a switch flipped on the world, and most of the lights went out.
"We never saw anything like this before," Johnson said. The previous owner called her a couple of days ago to ask how she was holding up.
It's been an emotional couple of weeks for her and day care owners across the country that she communicates with. Some pet day care employees are picking up the dogs from the parking lot, rather than having owners and pets congregating in a lobby. Others are wiping down dogs with sanitizing wipes.
"We're extra-sanitizing," Johnson said. "There are gloves available to anyone who wants to wear them. We're taking as many precaution as we can at this time but still trying to operate as close to normal as possible, too."
What that means for now is staying open, keeping her employees as safe as possible and keeping them on their jobs. For the many healthcare workers who drop off their pets, she knows the stability of her business is critical. She's offering a 20 percent discount to all healthcare workers using her facility at this time.
Kim Strong covers families and love. Reach her at kstrong@ydr.com.
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