Changes to fostering, adopting and surrendering an animal during COVID-19 restrictions

April 5, 2020

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and in line with NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020, DCH Animal Adoptions has made changes to the way we conduct surrenders and adoptions, to protect the safety and wellbeing of the public and our foster carers.

Below, we have answered our most frequently asked questions to keep you informed. If you have any other questions about our operations during COVID-19 restrictions, please call us on 1300-88-93-40 or use our contact form.

Is there a risk of being infected by coronavirus through contact with animals for adoption?

There is no evidence that companion animals can spread COVID-19, however, after patting or handling an animal, we recommend you practise good hygiene measures, such as washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or using a minimum 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser, as recommended by the NSW Department of Health.

Will DCH still conduct Home/Property Inspections for potential foster carers?

Yes, we still require this, however, due to the restrictions under the NSW Public Health Order, physical property inspections will not occur.

Instead, DCH will use methods including requesting potential foster carers provide video or photographic evidence, or watching a virtual tour of the property via a video conference platform, such as ZOOM or WhatsApp.

Will DCH still accept surrendered animals?

Yes, if there is open capacity throughout the DCH foster carer network to take in animals, then we will still accept surrenders. However, noting the restrictions under the NSW Public Health Order, DCH recommends the following be considered by both the person surrendering an animal, and the foster carer:

• The person surrendering the animal is to deliver the animal/s directly to the carer.
• The foster carer and the person delivering the animal are to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times (1.5 metres between both persons).
• Only one (1) person is permitted to deliver the animal to the foster carer. No other persons are allowed to exit a vehicle or be present during handover, to comply with the current restrictions limiting indoor and outdoor gatherings to two (2) people only.
• If the person wishing to hand over the animal has travelled overseas in the previous 14 days, or has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, or is exhibiting cold or flu symptoms, the handover cannot take place.
• After receiving the surrendered animal, the foster carer should practise good hygiene measures, such as washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or using a minimum 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Any equipment, such as bedding, toys, carriers, donated with the surrendered animal should be washed with common household disinfectant to kill any potential virus and/or quarantined outside for at least 3 days, preferably in the sun, to allow for UV disinfection.

Puppies/Dogs
In addition to the above main points, the following apply to surrender of puppies and dogs. Normally, our foster carers need to assess the temperament of a dog prior to agreeing to the surrender, so accepting the surrender of puppies and dogs may prove more difficult. To enable a dog's temperament to be assessed, DCH recommends the foster carer:

• Organises a meeting with the dog and current owner in a local park to exercise the dog.
• Ensures no more than 2 people have gathered (e.g. current owner and foster carer).
• Ensures social distancing is maintained at all times.
• Considers taking their own lead so they can exercise and assess the dog.
• Remembers to practise good hygiene measures after receiving the animal, such as washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or a a minimum 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

If the foster carer has determined that no assessment is required and is happy to take the puppy or dog without a prior assessment, the 6 main surrender arrangements listed above should be followed. 

Horses
Horse surrenders will continue to be considered on a case by case basis, being limited by the availability of foster carers for horses.

Will DCH adoptions continue during this COVID-19 NSW Public Health Order period?

Yes, DCH remains open to adoptions during this COVID-19 NSW Public Health Order period, and recommends foster carers, and those wishing to adopt, observe the following protocols during the adoption process:

• Meet and greet with the animal is by appointment only.
• Meet and greet is limited to one (1) member of the family at a time (any other persons are to remain in the vehicle).
• The person adopting the animal is not to have travelled overseas in the previous 14 days, or been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, and is not exhibiting cold or flu symptoms.
• Where possible, the potential adopter is to be offered hand sanitiser before entering the property.
• Social distancing requirements must be maintained at all times.
• Foster carers should practise good hygiene measures, such as washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• While DCH still requires potential adopters to meet the animal in person, a video introduction could be used as a first step, and video platforms such as ZOOM or WhatsApp used to conduct the interview.
• If possible, the potential adopter's interaction with the animal should take place outside.
• Where possible, direct deposit facilities or PayPal should be used to take the adoption fee (ensure receipt of funds has been confirmed by your coordinator before releasing the animal). If cash payments are accepted, we recommend the cash be disinfected or washed with soap and water.
• After an in-person visit, wipe all surfaces and furniture, such as doorknobs, chairs etc with disinfectant.

Will DCH still accept donated equipment?

If DCH is offered donated equipment and there is an identified need within our foster network, we will continue to accept, noting the following requirements:

• Where possible, the person donating the equipment is to deliver the equipment to a DCH volunteer.
• Social distancing requirements are to be maintained at all times.
• The handover of the donated equipment is limited to two (2) people: the person donating the equipment and the DCH volunteer accepting it.
• After receiving the donated equipment, the DCH volunteer should practise good hygiene measures, such as washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Where possible, donated equipment should be washed with common household disinfectant to kill the virus, or quarantined outside for at least 3 days, preferably in the sun to allow for UV disinfection.

Will DCH still accept donated food?

Yes, DCH will continue to accept food donations when they are received, observing the following handling requirements:

• If collecting from a store, such as PetStock, the DCH volunteer is to follow the store's protocols.
• After receiving the donated food, the DCH volunteer should practise good hygiene measures, such as washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Where possible, donated food items should be quarantined outside in a safe place for 3 days (except fresh/raw food or food that requires refrigeration). Items requiring refrigeration or freezing should have the outside of the package wiped down with disinfectant, as the virus can remain viable in these environments.