Covid 19 - Pet Help
We’ve all heard the horror stories about what can happen to your pets if you test positive for Covid 19. In order to make sure that doesn’t happen we as pet parents need to be prepared and make a plan.
In Shanghai we’re very lucky to have such an amazing and proactive pet community. The lockdown has proven that in times of need pet owners and animal lovers will come together to help as many animals as possible.
We’ve made a list of some important t Covid 19 – Pet Help information.
Plan Ahead
Shanghai has many resources available to help pet owners and a great pet community, but it is ultimately your responsibility to plan ahead to protect your fur family.
If you have time creating a good relationship with your community management and volunteers is important. They can be your biggest allies in an emergency. You need permission to remove your pets from the community. Having a good relationship may persuade the community committee to give permission faster.
Also try and connect with other pet owners in your community. Make a plan to help each other in case of an emergency. Having a group of people in the community willing to help is invaluable.
Have a pet bag packed in case. Inside should be your pet’s food, I would recommended minimum 2 weeks of food, important documents, including vaccination booklets. Make sure to pack any medication your pet may need. In an emergency this will just take some pressure off packing for your pets and give you more time to make preparations.
Boarding and Transport
Planning ahead for boarding is very important. Who or what boarding facility will take your pet if you test positive? As soon as you test positive or if you think you will test positive, it is better to call around and find out which boarding facilities have availability.
If you have an ‘exotic’ pet finding boarding will be more challenging. By exotic I mean anything other than a cat or dog. Currently Golden B&M have been accepting pets such as birds and some other non cat and dog pets.
During a city wide lockdown finding a driver is also another challenge. Depending on the distance you can try a flash delivery for smaller animals or a huolala. Most drivers and communities will require contactless handover. This can also be a good negotiating point when asking the community management for permission to have the pets picked up.
Last Resort
Leaving your pet at home should be a last resort. If you have to make sure to find out if your home will be disinfected, what will happen to the pet during that time?
Make sure to leave ample food and water for the pets. I DO NOT recommend using an automated feeder. As with any electronic device there is a chance of malfunction. Leave out bowls of food and water. Leave the toilet bowl open (make sure there are no cleaning chemicals in the water). If the pet cannot reach the toilet bowl leave a tap or the shower dripping. This will ensure the pet has access to water to prevent dehydration.
Spare Leash
Spare Leash is a cage free pet sitting platform. They have been working non-stop to help pet owners get their animals to safety. They have a database of pet sitters all around Shanghai and can help connect pet owners and pet sitters. The platform is easy to use and you can see if there are any sitters in your area that can take your animals in an emergency.
Big shout out to them for stepping up and working nonstop to help pet owners in need during the Shanghai and Beijing lockdowns.
