ASPCA COVID-19 Information Hub

The ASPCA® is regularly reviewing resources in this hub to support you and your important work for animals. Don't miss:

Webinar: How Shelters Responded to COVID-19
Learn how shelters worked through the pandemic and what tactics they'll keep.
This playbook for safely resuming operations and animal transport
News and data on pets, poverty, and the pandemic
Ideas for making virtual adoptions successful

Operate within Shelter Capacity to Improve Outcomes

Learn to operate strategically within your shelter's true capacity for care for lower burnout and overall improved outcomes for vulnerable animals.

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COVID-19 Animal Relocation Preparedness Guide

Whether your organization is a source or destination, download this extensive guide for recommendations on resuming animal relocation services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Covid-19 and Housing Challenges: Keeping People and Pets Together

Learn about key challenges facing the housing insecure and their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, and read recommendations for helping those at risk.

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ASPCA Statement of Support for Veterinarians Considering Megestrol Acetate as a Temporary Contraceptive for Female Cats During COVID-19

Read the ASPCA’s statement of support for veterinarians considering megestrol acetate as a temporary contraceptive for female cats during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Shelter Medicine Academic Consortium Updates Quarantine Guidelines for the and Sheltering of Animals Exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (virus that causes COVID-19)

Read newly updated guidelines for animal shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic released by AVMA, CDC and university shelter medicine programs.

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ASPCA Statement of Support for Veterinary Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Read the ASPCA’s rationale for supporting veterinary telemedicine, when allowed by law, to keep pets and people safe during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Cat Intake Protocol

Read the National Animal Care and Control Association’s recommendations for cat intake at animal shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Animal Shelter Protocol

Get the latest COVID-19 recommendations for animal shelters.

Veterinary Resource - UNPUBLISHED

COVID-19 Resources from Reputable Sources

See what other leading animal welfare and public health organizations are recommending during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Grants for Shelters and Rescue Groups

Learn about COVID-19 relief funding available specifically for animal shelter and rescue groups.

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Federal Loans CARES Act and SBA Loans

Learn more about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and SBA loans to assist your nonprofit during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Assistance Programs by State & Region

Discover local efforts underway to provide relief to state and local nonprofits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Support for Community Pet Owners

Learn about financial support and grants directly available to pet owners affected by COVID-19.

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#GivingTuesdayNow

Discover how the #GivingTuesday generosity movement is using its brand to help nonprofits and others affected by COVID-19 with #GivingTuesdayNow

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Dog & Cat Safety Tip Sheets in Case of Disaster

You can help adopters, veterinary clients and the community keep pets safe in case disaster strikes by handing out these one-page cat and dog safety sheets.

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NCARE Checklist: Rate Your Disaster Readiness

Download the groundbreaking National Capabilities for Animal Response in Emergencies survey and check your organization’s readiness.

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3 Tips for Setting Up a Temporary Shelter

In the event of a disaster or large-scale seizure in your community, follow these three tips from the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response Team (FIR).

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Disaster-Planning Tips for Horse Owners & Rescues

Disaster planning is critical for horse owners and equine rescues, and moving large animals is a big undertaking. Download these tips to help prepare.

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Safe Workplace Playbook for Animal Shelters

Use this guide to help safely navigate onsite, field, and remote animal sheltering work in the COVID era.

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COVID-19 Animal Relocation Preparedness Guide

Whether your organization is a source or destination, download this extensive guide for recommendations on resuming animal relocation services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Do’s and Don’ts for Extending and Replacing Disinfectants During COVID-19

Running low on disinfectant or can’t find your go-to? Try these tips to extend or replace your regular disinfectants.

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PPE Recommendations

Get guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) in an animal- shelter setting during COVID-19.

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Recommendations for Public Health Officials Managing In-Home Care

Get guidance from the CDC on how public health officials can safely provide home care for those in isolation due to COVID-19.

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Job Aid Downloads

Barn Safety

Get guidance from the AAEP on barn safety during COVID-19.

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8 Tips to Find More Foster Families During COVID-19

Use these 8 tips to find foster families during an emergency quickly.

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3 Tips for Keeping Foster Families Engaged

Foster families are a key part of any shelter or rescue’s operations. Check out these tips to help keep both your potential and current foster families excited and engaged.

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5 Tips for Effective Foster Communication

Utilize these five tips when communicating with your foster families to help have positive, effective conversations.

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Adoption Ambassador Training Materials

Download and customize this presentation to help guide your Adoption Ambassador trainings to get cats and dogs adopted safely direct from foster homes

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Emergency Foster Resources

Use these fostering resources to help you recruit and manage fosters during an emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic.

How-Tos

How to Use Online Orientation for More Foster Parents, Less Staff Burden

Read how online orientation can increase your pool of foster families and decrease the burden on your staff and resources.

Examples from the Field

Examples from the Field: Fostering

Use these tried-and-true resources to quickly raise your foster program’s profile.

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Examples from the Field

A Model Equine Foster Program

Safe Harbor Equine and Livestock Sanctuary in Cottontown, TN, has both a primary farm and an extensive equine foster program.

Examples from the Field

Equine Fostering Q&A with Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

Increase your capacity and place more horses into homes with fostering tips from Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.

Examples from the Field

Equine Fostering Q&A with Hickory Hill Farm

Increase your capacity and place more horses into homes with fostering tips from Hickory Hill Farm.

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Research

New ASPCA Survey: Vast Majority of Dogs and Cats Acquired During Pandemic Still in Their Homes

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, 90% of dogs and 87% of cats are still in their homes.

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3 Tips for Pre-Approving Adopters

Having more adopters than you have animals is a great problem to have. Follow these three tips to keep those potential adopters engaged and ready for when you do have their match.

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Contract Language for Unaltered Animal Adoptions

Add this language to your adoption contract when adopting out unaltered animals in order to release your organization from liability and ensure the adopter will spay/neuter the animal when services are available.

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5 Tips for Making Virtual Adoptions a Success

Learn five tips for working with foster families to conduct virtual adoptions.

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Virtual Animal Adoption Meet and Greet Example

Wondering what a virtual meet-and-greet straight from your foster family’s home looks like? Check out this video example.

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Adoption Ambassador Training Materials

Download and customize this presentation to help guide your Adoption Ambassador trainings to get cats and dogs adopted safely direct from foster homes

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Teaching Cats to Ride in Carriers

Share this resource with your cat adopters and foster families to help make trips in carriers less stressful for everyone.

Examples from the Field

Examples from the Field: Adoption

Use these adoption resources to help you safely adopt out animals during COVID-19.

Job Aid Downloads

Special Spay/Neuter Voucher for Shelters and Rescues

Use this spay/neuter voucher from the Wisconsin Humane Society when you need to delay sterilization in an emergency.

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Behavior Tips for Living with Intact Dogs and Cats

Share these behavior tips with foster caregivers and adopters living with intact dogs and cats when spay/neuter surgeries are temporarily unavailable.

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