With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting people all over the country the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) wants residents to stay safe and also to remember the needs of their pets as well as other animals in need during the crisis. The HSUS, other organizations, and state government agencies have developed various resources to provide the animal welfare community with current information and tools to help manage their situation and make sound decisions. According to the HSUS, most Iowa shelters and rescues have undergone temporary closings and, because of Iowa layoffs and cut hours, pet owners might find themselves with no option but to surrender their pets resulting in a surge in surrenders. The HSUS has provided resources to pet owners and animal advocates to help them continue to care for their pets as well as help out with other animals in need. For resources provided by the HSUS, go to kniakrls.com and click on the links attached to this story.

HSUS Animal Sheltering provides a toolkit for how local animal shelters may best prepare for the COVID-19 outbreak.  Some information from HSUS about Pets & COVID-19, including a helpful video. Take a look

https://www.animalsheltering.org/COVID19

 For more information about caring for your pets while facing the challenges of COVID-19, visit HSUS:

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-faq