COVID-19 impacts the country and the world with daily changes that leave people feeling uncertain about the future. In times of crisis, having a plan of action to protect loved ones, including pets, will eliminate some worry and stress, and ensure preparedness for keeping families safe.

Because pets are family members, someone close to the family should be identified to care for pets in the event their carers require hospitalization, or need to tend to an ailing friend or family member.

Besides finding pet care, the teams at the Santa Barbara Humane Society and Santa Maria Valley Humane Society have put together a number of recommendations.

They urge all pet owners to implement steps now to be ready in the event COVID-19 afflicts them or a loved one. By being proactive, having a preparedness plan makes sure pets are not impacted from undo stress, such as being placed in an unfamiliar surrounding like a shelter.

Additionally, when pets are safe with family or friends, local shelters can provide essential care for homeless and at-risk dogs and cats in the community. Downloadable graphics with these tips, in English and Spanish, can be found at https://www.sbhumanesociety.org/knowledgebase/covid-19-tips/.

The following recommendations can help ensure families and their pets remain safe:

Identify someone who can care for your pet if you become ill.
Keep two weeks of supplies such as carrier/leashes, food, medication, bowls and bedding on hand.
Document important items like your veterinarian’s contact information and last vaccines.
Document feeding and medication schedule and any special needs to help your pet feel at home.
Go to: www.petmicrochiplookup.org or call your veterinarian to ensure your pet’s microchip is up to date.
Order an updated metal tag. Type “pet tags” into a search engine to have one delivered.
Send something from home with your scent to help your pet feel at home.
Identify three people who can update your pet’s caregiver while you are away.
No family local? Use Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Nextdoor partnership, Neighbor-Neighbor to find people willing to help.

For more information about both Santa Barbara Humane Society campus locations and operations during COVID-19, visit www.sbhumanesociety.org or www.smvhs.org.