COVID-19 Information & Resources
Info for Pet-Owners
Due to the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19 some veterinary clinics have closed and others are focusing all efforts on urgent and emergency situations for pets. As such, The Arizona Pet Project is unable to provide assistance for routine medical care such as vaccines or spay/neuter at this time.
If your pets are due for routine, non-urgent medical care, you will need to wait until conditions are safe enough that veterinary clinics re-open for normal operations.
If your pet becomes injured, ill, or has some other urgent or emergency situation please call your veterinarian immediately.
The Governor of Arizona has issued an Executive Order allowing for expanded use of “telemedicine” for pets, which may make it possible for your veterinarian to provide some treatment over the phone.
The Arizona Pet Project helps families with pets in crisis. If you need assistance for your pets, for veterinary care, pet food, or to cover a pet housing deposit, please contact us. We will do our best to support you. Please fill out this short form to request assistance.
Pet Specific Resources:
Petco – COVID-19 Information for Pet Parents
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/c/covid19
Best Friends – COVID-19 Resources for Shelters & Rescues
https://network.bestfriends.org/lifesaving-library/covid-19-resources
American Pets Alive – Facebook Group For Shelters & Rescues
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmPAConference
I Need Assistance
There are National and Statewide measures in place to provide support to those who are facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. You may qualify for rent or mortgage assistance and are protected from eviction in some situations. Please visit the Governor’s website for all details on what is being done in Arizona.
Eviction Postponement
The Governor of the state of Arizona has issued an Executive Order protecting tenants from eviction during this crisis based on specific criteria, such as a medically-issued order to self-quarantine in your home or a substantial loss of income due COVID-19 resulting from conditions including job loss and reduction of income. Landlords may not evict tenants because they have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
IMPORTANT: Please review the entire Postponement of Eviction Actions Executive Order to see complete information on tenant protection and your required actions.
Rental Eviction Prevention Assistance
If you are struggling to make rent, the Arizona Department of Housing advises that you contact your on-site manager or lease agent right away to let them know that you may need rental assistance or a payment plan.
Please find additional information, FAQ’s and take a self-assessment at the Arizona Department of Housing website to see if you qualify for rental assistance.
Mortgage Assistance
The state of Arizona has suspended foreclosures for 60 days (as of March 30, 2020). According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, you may also be eligible for support if you are struggling to make your mortgage payment due to hardships caused by COVID-19 and your loan is owned by Fannie May or Freddie Mac .
Save Our Home AZ also offers foreclosure assistance for unemployed or underemployed Arizonans.
If you are experiencing a crisis or know someone who might be, or if you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services visit the 2-1-1 website or dial 211 to speak to someone who can help.
FAQ’s
Can animals infect people with COVID-19?
This is a rapidly evolving situation and we are continuing to learn more about the virus. At this time it appears that the virus may be able to spread from people to pets in some situations, but not from pets to people.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):
“At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
The best thing you can do is treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.”
For all of the latest information about pets and COVID-19, please visit the CDC website here.
What to do with pets if someone in the home is infected.
Prepare an emergency plan now, to best care for your family and pets if you or someone in your home becomes sick. Start by identifying 1-3 people who could care for your pets if needed.
Keep an emergency kit on hand for your pets. Suggested items to include:
- Information about all of your pets: their microchip number, name, age, a photo, known illnesses and any medications they need.
- Contact info for your current veterinarian.
- Enough pet food and medications for 2-4 weeks.
- Supplies like a leash, collar, poop bags, a kennel, litter box, litter for 2-4 weeks.
- Contact info for a trusted family member or friend.
What to do around other pets or animals.
At this time it is safest to avoid interacting with other people’s pets or animals. Don’t pet them and don’t let other people pet your animals. It is also best to not let your animals socialize with animals from other households.
I found kittens, now what?
Leave the kittens where they are! It’s likely that mom will return. She might be out hunting or in the process of moving her litter. The kittens stand the best chance for survival with her.
The Arizona Humane Society has excellent information about how to tell if kittens have been orphaned, and how to care for them at home if needed. Check it out at Don’t Kit-nap Kittens.
How You Can Help
Hospitalization, Closures, Shortages: What happens to pets and the people who love them?
With updates regarding protection measures, changes in workplace protocols, and closures of schools and businesses, we will all feel the effects of the current global events.
Many community members have lost childcare coverage and/or the ability to go to work, resulting in loss of income and additional resources. The Arizona Pet Project has already seen a surge in requests for assistance including, but not limited to:
- Temporary boarding for those needing hospitalization
- Financial support during widespread loss of income for emergency pet care
- Pet food during grocery stock shortages
The Arizona Pet Project remains committed to providing support for as many pets and families as possible.
Will you provide a helping hand to our community members most at risk with a generous donation? We believe every family deserves the right to do what’s best for their beloved pets–especially in a time of crisis. Make an impact today and help families and their pets across the valley by providing them with critical, and oftentimes life-saving, pet care services.
Other Ways to Help
- Foster for a rescue or shelter. *Maricopa County Animal Care & Control is at full capacity and needs immediate support.
- Donate money and pet supplies to local nonprofit organizations.
- Offer to buy groceries and pet supplies for at-risk family, friends, and neighbors.
