Cascades Humane Society COVID-19 Update from the Executive Director
To our dedicated supporters,
Cascades Humane Society currently remains open and we have many wonderful animals looking for their forever homes. Our services are still being performed, including our SNAP and Forgotten Feline programs.
What is CHS doing?
As with most other organizations, we will continue to monitor the CDC and the WHO for the most recent updates. We use hospital-grade disinfectants throughout our shelter and we will continue to do so. We have increased the amount of cleaning and sanitizing we do in our public and work areas. We have increased our quantity of supplies for this purpose and have sanitizing wipes available to be used on any surface. A public restroom is available to anyone who would like to wash their hands and we have increased the number of hand sanitizers available to staff, volunteers, and the public.
We are encouraging our employees and volunteers to wash their hands even more than before or use hand sanitizer. Everyone is encouraged to follow the guidelines for good handwashing is encouraged to not touch faces, especially mouths, eyes, and noses. We encourage everyone to follow appropriate respiratory etiquette – sneezing or coughing (covering their mouth and nose) into a tissue to be immediately thrown away (elbows and shoulders can be used if not tissue available) with and washing or sanitizing happening immediately after. Staff or volunteers who are sick, especially with symptoms of acute respiratory illness, should stay at home (fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning).
What about pet owners?
We encourage our fellow pet owners, as they make plans to keep themselves and their families healthy and prepared, to make plans for their pets as well. Individuals who become sick or require hospitalization will need to make arrangements for their pets. Please make sure you have someone in mind who can take care of your pet(s) if this happens to you. If a quarantine occurs – personal or county-wide – you will want to make sure you have enough pet food, pet medications (with documentation on how it should be administered) and supplies like litter on hand. Ensure all the pets are up to date on the vaccines and have a collar with an ID tag or are microchipped.
At this time, the CDC does not believe there is any cause to think that companion pets can transfer or contract COVID-19. For more information, you can visit the CDC or the Michigan Humane Society websites.
What happens next?
If a quarantine is required or recommended, we will consider limiting the number of people in the facility. This would include limiting or suspending adoptions, intake, services, and events. We will update you through social media and email if this occurs.
At this time, we feel it is in the best interest of the health and well-being of the public, staff, and volunteers to postpone our annual event, Wine and Whiskers on April 9th. We will update you with a new date as soon as possible. All tickets will be honored on the new date, but we will reimburse those who need it as well.
Please stay healthy and safe!
Best,
Heather
Heather Leszczynski
Executive Director