Covid-19 has seen limitations placed on all of our movements to help slow the virus, but aside from the clear advice to stay home apart from visiting the food shop, chemists and one exercise period per day – what about walking the dog?
Dog owners will know that most pooches require two walks a day, especially those living somewhere without access to a garden.
What about other pets? Are you allowed to take your cat to the vets or visit your horse in its stables? Can kennels or a cattery look after your pet if you become ill?
We have gathered all Scottish Government guidance for you here so you can care for your pet in confidence that you aren’t breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules.
Dog walking
Walking your dog counts as one of the forms of exercise people can do per day.
If you stay with other people, you can all take it in turns to walk your dog so the dog gets more than one walk a day.
So big households might actually find their dog getting more walks than usual.
The Scottish Government have advised that it is accepted that dogs may need to be taken out more than once per day if they do not have access to a garden or other area to toilet, but you should follow the rules in relation to social distancing.
All non-essential trips to vets should be avoided, but if your pet needs treatment you must call the vet before going to see them.
Shielding households
For animals in high-risk ‘shielded’ households the same advice applies – if you’ve made arrangements for someone else to walk your dog you should avoid them entering your home unless absolutely necessary.
Pets in self-isolating households
What about people showing symptoms who must self-isolate? It is legal to have someone else walk your dog for you if you are self isolating – ideally pets should be cared for away from their home for the isolation period to avoid repeated visits.
Strict social distancing should be followed when pets are collected or returned so you avoid coming within 2 metres of the people self-isolating and wash your hands afterwards.
You should only enter their home if absolutely necessary and stay for as short a time as possible.
Dogs from self-isolating households should be kept on a lead and contact avoided with other people and animals if being walked in public.
There have not been any reports of companion or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19 and currently there is no evidence that they play a significant role in this human disease.
When handling and caring for animals, good hygiene measures should always be implemented.
People under self-isolation who are responsible for the care of any animals, including horses and livestock, must ensure the animals continue to be cared for during the period of self-isolation.
Wherever possible arrangements should be made in advance with friends, family or neighbours that can be put in place should the need arise.
If you are too unwell to care for your animals and do not have anyone nearby who can help, for further advice and support please phone:
- for companion animals- the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
https://www.scottishspca.org/news/coronavirus-and-your-pet - for livestock – the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution on 0300 111 4166 (7am - 11pm).
https://rsabi.org.uk/Home-Page
Travel
Travelling to care for animals away from my home like relatives’ pets, horses in stables or animals in rescue centres does count as an essential journey.
You should observe distancing and wash your hands when you get home. You should if possible make arrangements to share the care of animals at stables etc and minimise the number of people who need to visit each day.
Can animals infect humans?
There is no evidence that animals are involved in the ongoing transmissions of COVID-19 to humans.
Kennels and catteries
Boarding kennels and catteries can provide a valuable service caring for pets of essential workers and those who become seriously ill and have no-one else to look after their pet.
They may remain open for these purposes if they follow the guidance on social distancing for their staff and owners when animals arrive or are collected.
Vets
Vets will continue to provide emergency services. You should contact your vet before travelling to check that a visit is essential and their arrangements for social distancing at the surgery.
