Local Residents Urged to Plan for Companion Animal Care

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Source: Animal Welfare Alliance of Santa Barbara County

The member organizations of the newly formed Animal Welfare Alliance of Santa Barbara County—ASAP, C.A.R.E.4Paws and Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/DAWG—have united to ask the

community to please make a plan for their beloved companion animals. With a COVID-19 crisis anticipated to worsen in Santa Barbara County, hospitals and medical providers are preparing to meet an overwhelming demand for medical assistance and hospital stays. Our local animal shelters are preparing as well. Though this illness has proven to be deadly for our oldest and most compromised community members, countless residents may experience a hospital stay. This potentially leaves hundreds of companion animals needing care.

The Alliance is urging all Santa Barbara County residents to have a plan:

Put together a bag of animal supplies with food, 2 weeks of medications, and any additional needed supplies, including a travel kennel.
Create a written emergency plan for each of your pets. Include your name and contact information, including cell phone number, your pet’s feeding schedule, any medical conditions and treatment instructions. Document whether your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations, and list the contact information for your veterinarian. Lastly, provide up to three contacts for family members or friends who will be able to check on your medical status and give the provider updates.
Find a temporary caregiver who is able to take on your pets if you are hospitalized. Contact neighbors, family, friends, pet-sitters and boarding facilities. The most ideal situation for you and your pets is for them to remain out of a public shelter. Though public shelters can help in emergencies, the system isn’t designed to provide long-term care. In addition, available space is limited, and shelters may not have the capacity to help all animals in need.

Private and Public Shelters have seen an outpouring of offers to assist during this difficult time. If you need assistance with food for your companion animal or would like to donate food/supplies to an animal in need, please contact: info@care4paws.org or 805-968-CARE (2273)

Utilizing Governor Newsom’s partnership with NextDoor, called Neighbor-to-Neighbor, you may find local community members who are willing to care for your animals while you recover. Having a plan will reduce your stress by providing peace of mind that your pets will be cared for. In addition, keeping Public Shelters free of long-term care animals allows them to be better prepared for the onset of kitten season, stray pets, and animal care cases that require immediate attention.