Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter Coronavirus Response – March 17, 2020
PAWS knows that the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) throughout Oregon is of concern to our staff, volunteers, and community. With the news changing rapidly, PAWS is taking precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. PAWS is committed to providing a safe and healthy shelter environment, and recognizes the way we provide service may need to shift in response to recommendations from the Governor, Oregon Health Authority, public health officials, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to help slow the rate of exposure and potential illness.
PAWS Staff will be making sure to sanitize all common surfaces regularly, and has implemented Social Distancing. The CDC defines Social Distancing as avoiding crowds and mass public gatherings, and when possible, maintaining a distance of at least six feet from others. Social distancing also means staying home when ill, avoiding contact with people who have symptoms of illness, and not shaking hands.
Effective March 17, 2020, all animal surrenders are suspended and adoptions will be by appointment only. Viewing of animals will be closed to the public. Animals can be viewed online at Pendletonpaws.org or by appointment. If you’re interested in an animal, please call PAWS for more information about the animal, or to video conference to meet the animal. We are limiting attendance in the PAWS lobby to one party at a time. We want what is best for our community–human, canine, and feline. Thank you for taking these measures to keep PAWS safe.
Ways You Can Help
We anticipate increased intake, fewer adoptions, and fewer foster homes over the next few months. Individuals can reduce the impact on the shelter by reaching out to PAWS to foster, adopt, or donate to support the vulnerable animals in our community. PAWS needs people to foster pets on a temporary basis. Please contact PAWS if you can help.
Pets and Coronavirus
Multiple health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and the American Veterinary Medical Association have stated that pets and domestic animals are not at risk for contracting COVID-19.
People with pets should be prepared with enough food, water, and medications for your pet, in case of lock-down or self-quarantine.
• Have on hand at least a one-month supply of your pets’ medications, litter, and food.
• Make sure your pets’ vaccination records are current and you have copies.
• Consider the care of your pets as you put together your household readiness plan.
PAWS Thrift Store
Effective March 17, 2020, the PAWS Thrift Store will be closed to the public temporarily to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order dated 3/16/2020.
Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter
517 SE 3rd Street, Pendleton, OR 97801
541-276-0181
pendletonpaws.org