YOUR Humane Society SPCA team is working hard to keep our community, themselves and the animals healthy while accomplishing our mission of protecting animals through our care, adoptions and public assistance programs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our special events and gatherings are re-scheduled or cancelled since protecting our community is the priority. We must all take a proactive effort to lessen the negative impacts of this virus across our community and we are following the guidelines provided by the CDC and Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida. In an effort to better manage the public attendance at our shelter and protect staff, volunteers and visitors, we are temporarily limiting shelter visitors. Adoptions and owner and stray surrenders will be by appointment only. Volunteers are welcome to come walk the dogs, care for the cats, etc. but we would like them to schedule their visits in advance to allow us to better manage the number of people on campus. Our “Kibbles” Pet Food Pantry will continue to operate as normal on Saturdays. While we remain open to the public, we strongly encourage our shelter visitors to utilize our many hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers during their visit to minimize potential risks. Our high contact areas are disinfected daily with hospital grade disinfectant. We are asking employees, volunteers and potential visitors who are sick to stay home. We all must do our part to protect each other too, not just the animals in need.

We have provided some tips and resources from the CDC, WHO and World Organisation for Animal Health:

* CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html. Also, according to the CDC, no animals in the US have been identified with the COVID-19 virus. The CDC recommends that people who are sick with COVID-19 restrict their contact with pets and other animals, just like you would restrict your contact with other people.

* The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined the spread of Coronavirus to and from pets is not a risk and there have been no reported cases of transmission of the disease from pets to humans or vice versa. DO NOT abandon your pets due to this virus. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, there is “no evidence that companion animals can spread the disease”. The current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human to human transmission – so socially distance yourself from people (if possible), not your pets!⁠

⁠          * Take this time to have your disaster plan in place just as we always advise before hurricane season begins. Stock-up (not hoard) pet supplies including non-perishable food items, clean water, prescription meds, a crate and first aid supplies. Have current I.D. on your pet’s collar and via your microchip company. Have a plan with a designated pet caregiver should something happen to you. Visit https://hsspca.org/community for more info. We also suggest taking this time while home more to provide your pets a refresher in basic obedience, minimize their physical contact with the public and go on private walks rather than using a public dog park. Bathe and brush them, and keep their belongings clean and disinfected.

Below is a calendar list of our events affected by the COVID-19 concerns. We will provide more updates as we monitor the status of COVID-19 and recommended guidelines.

March 20, 2020 Dog Adoption Day at the Villages Mulberry Grove Rec. Center: Cancelled. The Villages Recreation Dept. will evaluate subsequent months and notify us.

March 28, 2020 Pet Expo hosted by the Cat Crazy Villagers Club: Cancelled

April 4, 2020 Volunteer Orientation at our shelter: Cancelled. Enrolled applicants will be contacted to reschedule.

April 18, 2020 Furry Fun Fest 2020 at the Vlgs. Polo Club is suspended until further notice.

When our fundraisers and adoption events are cancelled, it definitely affects how many animals can receive help. We do ask that our community not forget that we are still providing our shelter’s animals care through this challenging public health crisis. Our shelter’s work must continue, as we cannot stop caring for the animals entrusted to us. We also may become temporarily low on devoted volunteers due to their own health concerns and this will put a strain on serving the many animals in our care. We ask that if you are not in a risk category and want to help, this is the time to step up and please make a difference! After all, there are more animals than people at our shelter! You can show YOUR support in many ways:

– A secure (and non-contagious) online donation at https://hsspca.org/donate to help us get through this ordeal a bit more easily. We are also working on some online FUNdraisers, so stay tuned!

– Submit your volunteer application from https://hsspca.org/volunteer.

– Fostering an animal can also be a wonderful way to cope with social distancing from people and reap the benefits of an appreciative furry friend in need! Learn that fostering saves lives at: https://hsspca.org/volunteer/fostering.

We have no doubt that our strong show of community will prevail as we work in unity through this ordeal. We thank you for your continued support as we all navigate this challenge together helping each other and the animals. Remember to BE KIND to each other too.

Stay safe & healthy!

YOUR Humane Society SPCA