Safely Caring For Pets During A Pandemic

Yes, we're open for business and we're caring for pets!

During this pandemic we’ve implemented specific safety protocol, and are using equipment specifically designed to minimize COVID-19 exposure and transmission. Here is what you can expect from Snaggle Foot as we care for your pet during this pandemic.

Snaggle Foot Pet Care Services During A Pandemic

The following procedures have been implemented with Snaggle Foot staff:

Sanitize hands before and after each visit to a pet client. Our staff carry hand sanitizer with them for this purpose and do not rely on pet parents to provide it.
When possible, we meet your pet at the door and do not fully enter your house. If we have to enter your home, our staff wear latex gloves during the visit and then dispose of them when they leave each home. If latex gloves are not available, hands will be washed immediately upon arriving at a pet family home, AND just before leaving that home. Every. Single. Time.
If we enter your home, our staff will sanitize their shoes or put on sanitary booties before they enter. This will also help minimize the spread of germs from house to house.
Our staff will use a Snaggle Foot leash rather than your leash, to minimize the potential of spreading germs from one pet family to another.
Our staff is monitored closely for health, and are screened prior to beginning their work day. If they are feeling unwell for any reason, they will not be caring for pets.

If you have questions or concerns about staff caring for your pet, please contact your local Snaggle Foot office for more details.

In the interest of safety, we have introduced new critical equipment for our Pet Care Specialists, including the following items:

Biothane leashes. Biothane is a coated webbing product, made in the U.S.A., and known for its durability, strength, and ease of cleaning. Our leashes are red in color, and are sanitized after each use. The leashes are waterproof, strong, and non-porous, yet soft and flexible. The perfect solution for pet care during a pandemic.

Face masks and hand sanitizer. Staff are required to wear face masks while caring for pets. In addition, they carry hand sanitizer, and sanitize before and after every visit.

Gloves and booties. Some pet care specialists will wear latex gloves and/or disposable shoe covers (booties). This equipment may vary depending upon your Pet Care Specialist; however, latex gloves are not a substitute for hand sanitizer.

Staff ID. Most of our staff now carry or wear an official Snaggle Foot ID. This ensures that your Pet Care Specialist is an official staff member of your local Snaggle Foot, and is your assurance of quality pet care.

Resources For Pet Parents

Snaggle Foot closely monitors developments from the AVMA, CDC and WHO to remain up to date on how the pandemic affects pets. Here are some resources that you may find helpful:

From AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)

Excerpt from AVMA:

Summary and current recommendations

Despite the number of global cases of COVID-19 surpassing the 7 million mark as of June 8, 2020, we are aware of only a handful of pets and captive or farmed wild animals globally that have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In all cases, the source of the infection for pets was presumed to be one or more persons with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. At this point in time, there is also no evidence that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people.

Therefore, the AVMA maintains its current recommendations regarding SARS-CoV-2 and animals. These recommendations, which are supported by guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), are that:

Animal owners without symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to practice good hygiene during interactions with animals. This includes washing hands before and after such interactions and when handling animal food, waste, or supplies.
Do not let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household.
Keep cats indoors, when possible, to prevent them from interacting with other animals or people.
Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet from other people and animals. Avoid dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather.
Until more is known about the virus, those ill with COVID-19 should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. Have another member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets. If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, including pets, then wear a cloth face covering; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them, and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.
At this point in time, there is no evidence to suggest that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, that may be incidentally infected by humans play a substantive role in the spread of COVID-19.
Routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is NOT recommended. Veterinarians are strongly encouraged to rule out other, more common causes of illness in animals before considering testing for SARS-CoV-2.
Human outbreaks are driven by person-to-person transmission and, based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. Accordingly, we see no reason to remove pets from homes even if COVID-19 has been identified in members of the household, unless there is risk that the pet itself is not able to be cared for appropriately.

For the full article, please use this link: SARVS CoV-2 In Animals

From CDC (Center for Disease Control)

Excerpt from CDC COVID-19 & Animals

What you need to know:

We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but we know that it originally came from an animal, likely a bat.
At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.
More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.
We are still learning about this virus, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations.

To read the full article, please see this page on the CDC website.

Safely Caring For Pets During A Pandemic

Yes, we're open for business and we're caring for pets!

Snaggle Foot Pet Care Services During A Pandemic

Resources For Pet Parents

From AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)

Summary and current recommendations

From CDC (Center for Disease Control)

What you need to know:

From WHO (World Health Organization)

From FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)

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