Friday, March 20, 2020

The Cat Owner's Guide to Coronavirus

Life as we know it has completely changed over just the past week. It's an incredibly scary and uncertain time for everyone. My main fear is for my elderly parents, both with serious underlying health issues, especially if I were to get sick and risk passing it along to them. 

I'm very fortunate to work in an office with only 2 other people, but I also have the freedom to work from home if need be (which my wonderful employer has encouraged me to do, but so far I've resisted.) My heart hurts for so many in the service industry who have no choice but to wait this out with no paychecks coming in. While I rarely go to restaurants, I follow most of the cat cafes on Facebook, and as they've shut their doors one by one over the past week, I can't help but wonder how many of them will never reopen. 

In times like these we need our feline friends more than ever. Second Chance Sheridan Cat Rescue sent us this infographic which contains important information that every cat parent needs to know. It also helps to dispel some of the myths floating around that are leading people to dump their pets at already overcrowded shelters.


My greatest wish is that we're overreacting and this will all be over soon. In the meantime we have more time to spend with our cats, which is never a bad thing.

How are you and your cats handling our "new normal"?

19 comments:

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

I'm frustrated because I hardly ever get to go anywhere! But my human says it's necessary for now. We aren't scared here, just doing what we need to do to stay safe - and my human keeps her distance from others to make sure she doesn't spread anything she might not know she has either.

Around My Kitchen Table said...

Thank you for that useful information. I read about some people killing cats and dogs because they thought they carried the disease and it broke my heart.

Not So Sweet Toffee
That's Purrfect

Smudge said...

Dad and I just read this, and it's some very helpful information to pass on to those who aren't sure or don't understand. Nothing's changed around here yet, since mom's home with me every day and dad's schedule hasn't yet been affected. His work has closed, though, and he and mom fear he'll have to be let go as "non-essential" in the coming days. We love your tree lights post and your most colorful St. Patrick's Day photo, too. We haven't been on here much lately, but hopefully we'll get back to it. Take care of yourselves and stay safe.

The Island Cats said...

The mom has stocked up on food for us and her and the dad and she's staying home with us. The dad still has his business to take care of so he goes out everyday and the mom worries about that.

Patricia T said...

Sheltering in place with my fur-babies. Personally, I think this will get worse because people aren’t taking it seriously. Not having symptoms doesn’t mean they aren’t carrying the virus to someone else. I’ve ordered extra pet food, too.

Catscue Cat Mom said...

Good info, thanks so much Melissa.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was good info! You should consider working from home to keep your parents safe.

World of Animals, Inc said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. We have protocols in place at our hospital were the pet owner doesn't even need to come in. We will pick up your pet outside and bring them in for their checkup or whatever they need. We hope that this will be over soon. Just have to stay home or stay out of crowded places. Have a great day.
World of Animals

pam said...

Thanks for all the good information!

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

We do everything the same as always, Mudpie, only Grandpaw has to stay at home because of his work, so now I get double attention and I have to say...the more the better...MOL😸Pawkisses for a Happy Healthy Weekend🐾😽💞

The Menagerie Mom said...

I feel so sorry for all the businesses that have been forced to close, and for the employees that have lost pay and maybe even their jobs. I feel strange about this all, because if I'm being honest, nothing has really changed for me. I work at a place that is considered essential, so even though my state is now on shelter-in-place lockdown, I'm still going to work every day. Even on normal days, I'm a homebody, so as soon as leave work I go straight home. I've always done that. My work place also involves lots of chemicals and the like, so I'm used to practicing good hygiene and washing my hands a lot. With all of that, I feel bad that my world is essentially the same as it always is, whereas others in the world may now be sick, jobless, and overall struggling. I hope this all ends soon, and I'm praying it truly does.

Thank you so much for sharing this infograpic. It's crucial to share credible information. It absolutely breaks my heart that people have dropped animals at shelters under the belief that their pets can transmit coronavirus. There is no evidence of that, as the infographic you shared indicates.

Sending purrs and well wishes to you and your entire family!

Mickey's Musings said...

A lot of places have closed around here too.
For now, mum works a couple of days a week.
You have some good advice to share Mudpie!
Purrs,Georgia and Julie

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is good advice, Mudpie.

Three Chatty Cats said...

Thank you for sharing this graphic!

Sweet Purrfections said...

Since I'm already retired, I'm at home anyway. However, I'm a very social person and tend to go to sporting events, movies, and out to eat. I can't do that right now because everything is shut down. Also, I was tested for the COVID-19 virus this week because of a high fever, coughing, and wheezing. Still waiting for results.

pilch92 said...

Thanks for sharing this.

Cathy Keisha said...

Good info but I can't imagine Pop not hugging and loving on me. Trust me if you lived or worked in NYC, you'd be working at home. From our leader on down, the powers that be aren't taking this seriously.

Timmy Tomcat said...

Great info for all those owned by a cat to know.

Valentine said...

My mom, grandma and grandpa are in the high risk group, so they are taking extra precautions. I'm being my floofy self and offering extra purrs of comfort and crossing my paws that they and all my luved ones and furiends stay healthy. Kisses.