The ongoing pandemic is changing the world in a myriad of profound ways, from the economy to the way people interact.
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Even human-pet relations may be in flux. Many people, afraid they can get the virus from their pet, are choosing the easy way out: to abandon the animal.
Last month, the BBC reported on a surge of pets being abandoned across countries in the Middle East due to coronavirus fears. Reports of sleek dog breeds roaming the streets of Shanghai, no owner in sight, have also come to light in the past few months.
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Are these fears founded? Should we be worried about contracting the virus from our pets? Do companion animals play a significant role in propagating the disease?
Let’s not beat around the bush -- the short answer to all these questions is no. This is what the CDC has to say on the subject:
“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.
“Although we know certain bacteria and fungi can be carried on fur and hair, there is no evidence that viruses, including the virus that causes Covid-19, can spread to people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets.”
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To be sure, cats and dogs are hosts to several types of coronaviruses that can make them sick, like canine and feline coronaviruses, but, according to CDC, “These other coronaviruses cannot infect people and are not related to the current Covid-19 outbreak.”
That being said, the risk is not zero. A small number of pets around the world have been reported to be infected, mostly after contact with a sick person. However, the possibility of contracting this coronavirus from an animal is minimal, with CDC stressing that it overwhelmingly spreads from human to human.
A silver lining
Just as reports of animals being abandoned due to virus fears pile up, so do stories of people taking the diametrically opposed approach. Martina Mayr, the founder of local NGO Animal Rescue Cambodia, says she has seen a significant hike in the number of people opening their homes to animals in need in the last few months.
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In these uncertain and lonely times, many are looking for solace in the companionship that a pet provides, and so are choosing to foster homeless cats and dogs, explains Martina. The Kingdom may not have imposed social distancing and self-isolation measures like other countries, but many people are voluntarily limiting their social interactions and staying home. For people like this, who are undergoing particularly difficult and challenging times, a pet can be a source of great comfort and strength, she says.
Ministry of Cat has also observed a similar trend. Last month, the cafe closed. Our revenue took a dramatic hit and, to limit our expenses, we decided to put all our animals into foster care. Our call for foster parents was met with enormous support -- in a matter of days, we managed to find a temporary home for every animal (in some cases, we even got them adopted!)
“As this shows, times of hardship also bring out the best in people,” says Georgia Murphy, the co-founder of Ministry of Cat.
Arthur (aka Martha) is one of the cats we put in foster care after the cafe closed temporarily. MINISTRY OF CAT
Taking care of your pet if you have Covid-19
CDC has issued some guidelines for pet owners who have contracted Covid-19. It recommends that infected people restrict contact with pets and animals, just like you would with people.
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If you are sick with Covid-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding. Whenever possible, Covid-19 positive individuals should ask someone to take care of the pet. “If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a cloth face covering,” CDC says.
It is also worth noting that CDC does not recommend the testing of animals for Covid-19 at this stage.
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The pandemic is taking a massive toll on small businesses like Ministry of Cat. We have temporarily closed the cafe, which means the bulk of our revenue is now gone. If you want to support us, consider donating to our crowdfunding campaign.
Another way to lend a hand is to leave your pet cat at our boarding facility if you are going out of town. Thanks for your support!