With an overload of information swirling around about COVID-19 and how it spreads, it's not surprising to hear that some of that which is being construed is inaccurate.

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Erroneous information about how the coronavirus is contracted as well as who or what carries it has unfortunately now impacted the animals we care for. In a statement released last week by Petco, veterinarian Dr. Thomas Edling shared the sad news that misinformed people have been abandoning their pets for fear of contracting the coronavirus from them.

While the most recent reports do say that pets can contract various coronavirus strains (yes, there are many), there's no evidence to prove that pets can become infected with this particular strain, COVID-19, nor is there any to support people's fears of contracting any strain of it from their pets.

Dr. Edling's statement also said,

"Pet parents under no circumstances should be abandoning their pets because of COVID-19.

The most important things pet lovers should know today are:

  • According to the CDC, there is currently no known reason to believe that any animals, including pets in the United States, can spread COVID-19.

  • To date, the CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.

  • The CDC always recommends following everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of illness.

People who are sick with COVID-19 should restrict their contact with animals. If you see any changes in the health condition of your pets, advice from a veterinarian should be sought as soon as possible. As always, pet parents should adopt good hygiene habits, such as washing their hands before and after handling pets, their food and supplies, and maintain a clean environment."

Petco has also provided a FAQ page to use as a resource for any pet-related questions surrounding the coronavirus. To access that page, click HERE.

Sources: Petco.com, CNN.com

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