Update as of April 6, 2020
General information
The APF is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis. We are monitoring public health advisements daily and implementing recommended containment strategies as advised by federal and state experts. Our primary goal is to protect the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, members of the community and, of course, our pets.
We are actively following the protocols and precautions advised by the Center for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health. We have implemented sanitary cleaning protocols and social distancing practices. We continue to review, add and adapt our safety and cleaning protocols as new information and guidance is received.
As conditions and requirements are changing daily, please see additional detail and contact information for the service areas below. Phone numbers and email addresses are provided for each topic area. We will update each section as conditions and recommended protocols change. Please stop back to this page often.
The Safety of People and Pets Comes First
Our thoughts are with those who are already affected by the coronavirus and those who are at risk and their pets. Our goal is to be a part of the solution to this issue by actively engaging in preventative measures.
Our number one goal is to keep you, our staff, our volunteers and everyone in our community including all of our beloved pets safe and healthy. In order for us to remain open and serve you, we must keep our staff and volunteers healthy, especially our animal care and veterinary staff. For the animals, we want to share this information toward that end, we have implemented the following measures
- We request that if you do not feel well, have a fever of 100.4 or above, or have symptoms of being ill, or have known exposure or potential exposure to coronavirus, please stay home and if you have an appointment, please call us at 518-374-3944 x101 or email at info@animalprotective.org
- Please do not be offended, but we are currently a “no hug or handshake” facility. We will smile and participate if you want to do the “Happy Hands Wave” from a distance.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available throughout the APF.
- We are frequently cleaning high-touch surface areas such as doorknobs, counters, light switches, sink and toilet handles with appropriate disinfectants. As a veterinary medical facility, we are used to following strict protocols regarding the control of infectious disease.
- Posters providing guidance about proper hand washing, reminders to not touch your face, and other techniques to help prevent the spread of coronavirus are up throughout the building to keep it top of mind.
APF Shelter Services: Intakes and End of Life Services Open by Appointment Only
We understand the services we offer are vital to support the pets in our community. To maintain the health of our staff, volunteers, and community members the APF will be providing the following services by appointment only until further notice.
- Surrender A Pet: Need to rehome a pet, or did you find a stray? Please call us first to make an appointment!
- End of Life Services: Available for those in need. If you are in need of our compassionate and affordable euthanasia or cremation services, please call for an appointment at 518-374-3944 x101.
- Food Pantry: If you’re in need of assistance with pet food to help keep your pet, please call us and let us know your needs. Then we’ll schedule a time and prepare supplies for you ahead of time.
If an emergency situation arises in which you need to utilize one of our above services, please contact us to discuss options. We are here to help as best we can with the staffing and resources available.
Adoptions are temporarily on hold. Rest assured our pets are receiving excellent daily care. We’re looking forward to working with you soon to find the perfect match!
Please contact: (518) 374-3944 ext 101 or info@animalprotective.org to schedule your appointment for our services today!
APF Community Spay & Neuter Clinic
Our Community Spay/Neuter Clinic will be discontinuing public spay/neuter appointments at this time. Scheduled clients will be contacted with details. We will not be making any new appointments until we see improvements in the COVID-19 situation. If you have any questions, please contact our Clinic staff at: (518) 374-3944, ext. 121 & 125 or johnson@animalprotective.org
Special Events, Public Classes & Support Groups
The Tails by Twilight Gala scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2020 has been cancelled. We will, however, hold an exciting online auction in the near future. You’ll find great gift cards for local venues, interesting experiences, and away and staycations. Details will be publicized when we have the dates. Thank you to all our sponsors and honorary committee members who provided early support for this event.
In addition, our Canine Academy classes, Pet Bereavement Support Group, and Volunteer Orientation are cancelled until further notice. These will be rescheduled as soon as possible or electronic alternatives will be provided when possible. Individuals already registered for these will be contacted directly to address questions and concerns.
If you have recently lost a pet and are in need of bereavement counseling during this time, please visit the Association for Pet Lost Bereavement for their online chat support group, moderated by a certified counselor. https://www.aplb.org/chat-2/
Here are ways you can help:
- Please donate through our website www.animalprotective.org by clicking the “Donate” button on our home page, and encourage others to do the same.
- When you get a letter of appeal from us, please respond quickly and know your donation will be used in the best way possible.
In-Kind Donations
We are asking the public to please hold off on dropping off new/used item donations during this time to minimize foot traffic at the shelter and potential exposure to our staff and volunteers. Of most value to us right now is your financial support, or consider shopping for shelter pets without leaving your home. Please see our website for our Amazon and Walmart wish list items: https://www.animalprotective.org/dev/wish-list/ . These purchases are needed and conveniently mailed directly to APF.
COVID- 19 Information and Guidance for You and Your Pets
The CDC has released a statement regarding pets and their potential to carry or spread COVID-19: “There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals.”
The CDC has issued guidance for public health professionals managing the home care and isolation of people with COVID-19, available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/interim-guidance-managing-people-in-home-care-and-isolation-who-have-pets.html
New information and guidelines about COVID -19 responses are being received daily; please keep an eye on our website and communications for any additional changes to our programming and services.
Updates
We serve as a safety net to the community and are proud of that designation, the services we provide and the work that we do. We are doing everything we can to remain in service to you, your pets and those in need of assistance.
