Covid-19 Pet Sitting Health & Safety

  Posted on December 31, 2020  by Professional Pet Dog Sitter  No comments

Covid-19 Pet Sitting Protocols

Requests for pet care service started to trickle in within hours of the shelter-in-place reopening.

For those of you who have known me a while, you understand that I am conservative when it comes to the safety and health of my furry friends but also of you, the pet parents!

Regular clients understand why I was unwilling to take any risks or to open early.

This “wait and see” approach that has served me well in my lifetime as well as relying on other expertise for input.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s weekly meetings have been valuable since I trust their due diligence and what they put in place for the well-being of everyone involved–animals, staff, volunteers and guests.

Having worked in disaster preparedness and rescue, seeing firsthand the hardships,  I always err on the side of caution.

Therefore, I wanted to share a few thoughts and protocols with you about care within your home so you know what to expect and what steps you and I can take to make sure that we all remain safe.

We have seen spikes in virus cases mostly because of non-compliance with state and county mandates. Some is likely due to the influx of careless visitors who arrive from outside areas as well as a minority of locals who refuse to adhere to the guidelines because they come from areas that are open, or simply don’t believe there is any risk.

As a conservative measure,  I have temporarily suspended accepting new clients until further notice. This decision is a new one effective April 2, 2021.

Due to new strains of the corona virus and non-compliance with current mask orders and related protocols, all services remain on hold.

Currently I adhere to strict animal management and handling safety practices but there are a few new additions specific to Covid-19.

Standard practice is that other service personnel should not be scheduled to enter the home while I am onsite.

House cleaners, personal chefs, contractors and other guests can unwittingly harm or create unsafe conditions which is why intakes always ask for the names and contact information for your service personnel.

Disclosure of other services that have been scheduled such as repairmen, gardeners, pest control, etc., is also a standard courtesy for safety and to avoid any surprises or risks to pets.

Estate management companies and managers please connect with me by phone to discuss specific client requests as I am usually able to accommodate your unique situations.

Pandemic Protocols (Re-opening 2021)

During this pandemic, it is more important to make sure that anyone entering and exiting your home be diligent about their hygiene and to not have anyone outside your regular household onsite 48 hours before I enter the dwelling.

Please remember to mask up during any interactions with me on-site. Beginning April 2, 2021 failure to comply will result in refusal of services.

Two weeks prior to departure we will confirm that your household is healthy with no symptoms and that I am as well. One week prior to departure we will hard confirm that you’re travel plans are the same and that service will be provided.

Prior to finalization of booking please disclose if you have been traveling in the prior two weeks due to increased risk factors. (Air travel, use of other transit, participation in group gatherings outside of your normal household.)

Please note that I’ve remained in shelter-in-place since it was ordered. This means that I have been sticking close to home and very selective of whom I am around and of the businesses I enter.

I  screen  daily, sanitize, wear and maintain personal protection equipment. I also still maintain the essential worker protocols for safety.

When I dog walk, I have always kept pets away from other animals and people. I dissuade or avoid interactions for safety and health purposes as a standard practice.

Pet household preparation practices should be to leave all pet essentials out in a dedicated open area so that it is not necessary to open drawers, cupboards, etc., to access food, treats, utensils, bowls, brushes, toileting or clean-up supplies, toys, leashes, etc.,

Detergent and cleaning aids (dish washing detergent, sponges, paper towels, etc., and trash bags/receptacles should be left out for ease of use and access as well.

Door knobs for entry and exit areas should be wiped just prior to your departure. Ideally wipes or disinfectant should be left out for access, if needed.

Prior to entry I will be wearing a face covering.  I wear a face shield so animals can see and hear me but that also provides a barrier so droplets are not expelled around your dwelling.

Personal protection equipment (PPE)  gloves will be washed and sanitized and worn on entry and prior to exit.

Entry and exit door knobs will be disinfected on first entry and on last exit before you return.

Although you may request protective animal handling, unless you specifically request no hand-to-animal contact, I will manage your pets normally.

Normal practices have always included washing my hands before and after handling. Upon request, if there is active play with toys, gloves will be worn.

Other than the use of items related to pet care and sanitation within your dwelling, I won’t plan on touching or using anything in the home for drop-in service.

Again, it is important for you to leave necessary items out for easy access if you have any concerns.

As always,  I will do a walk around to verify home is secure for pets on arrival (windows, doors, etc.,) and bring in the mail (gloved) unless you dictate otherwise. Trash bags will be secured and discarded as normal, using sanitizing protocol and PPE.

If you are vulnerable or have escalated concerns, feel free to request shoe disinfectant or to provide protective shoe covers at entry point. At this time it is not a public health mandated safety practice and so is not standard protocol for my business.

Finally, if you are booked as tentative, this means we are in agreement it is a “wait and see” versus a confirmed booking.

For confirmed bookings, the cancellation fees that normally apply will be waived only on an individual (case-by-case) basis.

Right now I don’t anticipate “normal” operations again until public health indications warrant it. What I do anticipate is that we all will remain safe and that I will spoil take care of your pets to the high standards you have come to expect.

As always, wishing you wagging tails and a TOUR-ific month!