Pets and Coronavirus - Very Concerned

As I said on the toilet paper panic buying thread the other day, it might be worth stocking up on cat/dog food tins to see you through any self isolation period that may happen in a month or so. They won't go to waste. Not as serious as actually being ill, and folk will call by with food, as they are doing in China, but pets will not be a priority. Might be worth finding out what is happening to pets in northern Italy just now. Has anyone heard?

Maybe ask your neighbours anywsy to be am emergency person if they like dogs/are friendly etc? I'd look after my elderly neighbours dog if need be, even if he is a bloody bugger

I've also got a stock of food for my dog ☺ just in case I have to self isolate

Another vote for the Cinnamon Trust here. If you call them they will send you one of their brochures. 01736 757 900. And no, I'm nothing to do with them!! Let's hope none of you have to use their service.

Just be wary of the Blue Cross - anyone can adopt an animal from them without having to go through a home check. When I queried this during a meeting with the little Poodle I then adopted, they told me they trust what people write on the forms. So they can state they have a 5ft fence when they might not have any fence at all! I was also told they always ring a new adopter about a week after adoption - they don't. The Blue Cross want to pass on an animal as quickly as possible, take the money, then on to the next. It's very worrying.

Thank you all for your quick replies. I contacted Dogs Trust and Cinnamon Trust (whom I had never heard of) and they are sending me some literature and information. I also called the RSPCA, they were 'less than helpful' .

This virus is going to get worse before it gets better and I fear animal charities and shelters etc will be overwhelmed by bereaved, lost or abandoned pets. There will doubtless be cases of elderly pet owners dying alone in their homes with their pet without anyone even knowing they were ill. And what about rough sleepers and their companion dogs? The effect the virus could have on humans is bad enough but at least we understand it. It would be so much worse for our pets. Anyway thank you again for your help.

Joplin Thanks you for that warning I'll cross them off my 'list'.

'My daughter would look after my dog Alfie that's already been sorted. What happens to your pet if you are hospitalised or died should have been thought of when you first decided to take them on not just because Corona virus had tested it's ugly head'...
ouch; the OP wasn't just concerned about her pet but also other people that might be in a similar situation. And is also one half of a couple so in the event of one of them being ill the other would, under normal circumstances, be able to care for it. But this is not a normal situation. There has been a lot of helpful advice on this thread. Yours, however isn't one of them .

What would happen to your dog ? the same as would happen if you both had an accident or any other illness Surely this isn’t the first time you’ve had these thoughts L When I had my dog and my cats I had a contingency plan from day 1 just in case of ....

Please don't contact the RSPCA, they are quite likely to euthanise your dog if it's over 6 years old. I know....

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What a (mainly) helpful thread. I have felt grateful that my 3 cats aren't here any more, so I don't have to worry about them in this crisis. I hope you find a good resolution OP.

Did you know that Cats Protection was founded during WW2 to look after all the cats who were in need during the blitz?

If you have pet insurance such as PetPlan there is an amount I think £1500 for emergency kennelling should you fall ill. Worth checking out and also making sure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date and paperwork easy to find.
Most kennels/catteries have vacancies at the moment as people are not going away.