Daniel Sewell / Estes Park Trail-Gazette
Canine Hair Design and Pet Sitting owner Donna Elston grooms a dog.
Pets well taken care of during pandemic By Tim Mosier
might carry the virus,” said World Small Animal and Veterinary Association (WSAVA) President Dr. Shane Ryan. he recent escalation of “There is no evidence that this the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary and we urge our has people taking every members to ensure owners necessary precaution in efforts follow our guidance and keep to keep themselves, their famithemselves and their companlies, and our society safe. ion animals safe.” This has left many pet ownLocally, the pet supply and ers wondering exactly how grooming industry is experisafe it is to have animals around and what the rules are encing many of the same hardwhen it comes to pets and self- ships as other small businesses. With Public Health Order isolating. “There is still much we don’t 20-24 being signed by Governor Polis, some things within know about COVID-19 and, the industry had to be adjustwhile the priority is to bring ed. the outbreak of the infection caused to people under control According to that order, a as soon as possible, we are Non-Critical business is concerned for animal welfare required to reduce in-person with reports of animals being work by at least 50 percent and abandoned or killed because follow social distancing their owners fear that they requirements as defined in the Trail-Gazette
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20 • COVID-19 WELLNESS WARRIORS
order. A reduction of in-person work can include telework, staggering work schedules, or other measures to reduce the proximity of workers to each other. Businesses deemed as Critical are exempt from the order and are not required to reduce in-person work, but must still comply with social distancing requirements. Critical services detailed in the order include “animal shelters, animal rescues, zoological facilities, animal sanctuaries and other petrelated service facilities, such as boarding facilities.” All other pet services licensed under the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) would be considered non-critical businesses and thus subject to the order. This would include groomers and retail facilities.
“I am the only one in the shop,” Canine Hair Design and Pet Sitting owner, Donna Elston, said. She was recently in contact with an inspector from the PACFA Program and was informed of precautions that are being taken. The PACFA Program is a licensing and inspection system dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of animals in facilities throughout Colorado. “It is curb-side pickup and drop-off,” Elston said. “It’s 20 seconds of washing your hands and 30 minutes washing the dog and then we take them right back out to their owners.” Owner of Estes Park Pet Supply, William Welborn, says his store saw an initial blitz on See PETS, pg. 26
