Animal shelters still at work during COVID-19 pandemic
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Animal shelters aren't open to the public, but they've been working to provide care to animals in need.
Michelle Casey said only a limited number of animals remain at the Central Missouri Humane Society. Most of them were fostered or adopted when the shelter had to close to the public as COVID-19 spread.
The shelter is still doing adoptions, Casey said. Applications are available online and information is available by calling the humane society.
The shelter is taking dogs to meet potential foster owners and owners in spacious areas such as parks so they're able to abide by social distancing requirements.
The Central Missouri Humane Society has also continued working with the local pet food bank. Casey said the work helps those struggling financially amid the economic distress caused by the pandemic to keep their pets.
Dr. Leah Cohn, a small animal internal medicine professor at the University of Missouri, said the chances of contracting COVID-19 from a household pet is small.
But given how little is known of the novel coronavirus, she recommends observing the same kind of social distancing guidelines with other pets as with people.
Cohn said anyone with a respiratory illness should avoid cuddling with their pets and ask friends or family to take care of the pet while they recover.
