Pets and livestock guidance

No. There is absolutely no evidence to show transmission from animals to humans. 

However, in theory the virus can be present on animal fur for a short period of time, in the same way it is on other surfaces, such as tables and doorknobs.  That’s why our main advice is to continue to practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands thoroughly (for 20 seconds with soap and water) after stroking, touching, feeding or cleaning up after your pet. 

Please see the COVID-19 Guidance on Bathing Pets & Livestock for more information.

It is advised that you have a Pet Care Plan in place and accessible, in the event that you cannot care for your pet for a period of time. You should have:

• A plan for who might be able to care for your pet in the event of emergency
• Written details as to the care, feeding and medical history of your pet
• Your vet’s contact details

While there is little evidence to suggest pet-human transmission, it is possible for COVID-19 to be passed onto our pets. Therefore we recommend that if you test positive for COVID-19 you avoid contact with animals, such as kissing, hugging, sharing food etc. to reduce the risk of infecting them.

• You cannot walk your dog(s) if you are in self-isolation. However, a professional dog walker, friend or family member may walk your dog(s) so long as they adhere to the guidance under "Advice for professional dog walkers". 
• If you have a suitable, enclosed garden or outdoor space you can use it to exercise your dog(s) if you can do so alone. If it is a communal space, you can also use this if you are alone. Full details on using a garden while in self-isolation can be found here. 
• Dogs can go into boarding facilities/stay at a friend/family members home for the duration of your self-isolation (not daycare). See 'Advice for Boarding Facilities'.

• You cannot walk your dog if you are in self-isolation. See “What do I do with my dog if I am in self-isolation?”
• You can walk your dog during passive follow up.
• It is still good doggy etiquette not to allow an off leash dog to approach one that is kept on a leash.
• It is standard veterinary advice that you wash your hands after stroking, touching, feeding or cleaning up after your pet.

Professional dog walkers, friends and family members can walk dogs for isolating individuals. When collecting dogs from self-isolating individuals, the following must be adhered to:

• It is still advised that a strict hygiene protocol is in place.
• Collection of dogs must be done as quickly and efficiently as possible.
• Dog walkers MUST NOT come into contact with the isolating individual(s) when collecting/returning the dog.
• Where possible, the owner should let their dog out into a secure garden for the walker to collect the dog outdoors.
• Dog walkers must use their own leash to collect the dog, not the leash belonging to the owner.
• Dog walkers must wash/sanitise their hands before and after collecting/returning dogs. Wearing disposable gloves is acceptable. It is also advisable to wear a face covering when collecting/returning dogs.
• Dogs of self-isolating individuals can be walked with dogs of non-isolating individuals; however, it is advised that walkers ensure all individuals are content with their dogs being walked with dogs belonging to self-isolating individuals.
• Dogs from self-isolating individuals must only be walked on a leash, as should any other dogs being walked with them. This is to ensure that dogs from self-isolating individuals do not mix with other dogs without consent from the owner.
• Vehicles and all contact surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after the walk.
• As always, it is standard veterinary advice to wash your hands after stroking, touching, feeding, or cleaning up after an animal.

Professional dog walkers can operate during passive follow-up.

• You MUST NOT groom pets within households where there are self-isolating individuals.
• It is still advised that a strict hygiene protocol is in place.
• As always, it is standard veterinary advice to wash your hands after stroking, touching, feeding, or cleaning up after an animal.

Groomers can operate during passive follow-up.

• It is still advised that a strict hygiene protocol is in place. 
• Guidance on how to clean pets appropriately is available in the document titled “COVID-19 Guidance on Bathing Pets & Livestock” below.
• As always, it is standard veterinary advice to wash your hands after stroking, touching, feeding, or cleaning up after an animal.

When collecting pets from self-isolating individuals, the following must be adhered to in addition to the above:

• Pets from non-isolating individuals can be collected in the same trip as those from isolating individuals, provided that all owners are happy with this.
• Please note that pets from self-isolating individuals cannot go for day care.
• Operators should collect the pet from the owner’s residence and take it to the boarding facility. Collection of pets must be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Operators MUST NOT come into contact with isolating individuals.
• Where possible, the owner should let their dog out into a secure garden for collection outdoors. Operators must use their own leash to collect the dog, not the leash belonging to the owner.
• Where possible, cats should be put in a crate and left in a secure garden for collection. 
• You must wash/sanitise your hands before and after collecting pets. Wearing disposable gloves is also acceptable. It is advised that you wear a face covering when collecting pets.
• Vehicles and all contact surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after collecting pets.

Boarding providers can operate during passive follow-up.

Yes. If you are self-isolating, your pet can go into boarding facilities if no other arrangements can be made to care for your pet, provided that the facility is happy to take your pet.

• You MUST NOT take your pet to the boarding facility. Pets must be collected from the individual’s home by the boarding facility.
• Please contact the boarding facility directly.
• See “Advice for boarding facilities” for further information.

Animal trainers and behaviourists can offer their services provided that they adhere to the following:

• Pets belonging to isolating individuals can only be trained virtually unless being cared for by a non-isolating friend/family member.
• As always, it is standard veterinary advice to wash your hands after stroking, touching, feeding, or cleaning up after an animal.

Animal trainers/behaviourists can operate during passive follow-up.

• Have a Pet Care Plan in place and accessible, in the event that you cannot care for your horse for a period of time. You should have:
  • A plan for who might be able to care for your horse in the event of emergency
  • Written details as to the care, feeding and medical history of your horse
  • Your vet’s contact details
• You should not ride your horse while self-isolating. If you have a horse in livery, you must not visit them whilst you are self-isolating. You should contact your yard manager to make suitable welfare arrangements.
• While there is little evidence to suggest pet-human transmission, it is possible for COVID-19 to be passed onto our pets. Therefore we recommend that if you test positive for COVID-19 you avoid contact with animals, such as kissing, hugging, sharing food etc. to reduce the risk of infecting them.
• Hacking can be done during passive follow up.

• An efficient hygiene protocol should still be in place.
• As always, it is standard veterinary advice to wash your hands after stroking, touching, feeding, or cleaning up after an animal
• Individuals in passive follow up can tend to their horses.

• The abattoir is operating to a normal schedule. Livestock keepers are advised to contact the food business operator directly to book animals in.
• Collection of ‘fallen stock’ continues to operate normally.

1. DO NOT take your pet to the vets!
2. Call your vet to describe the symptoms of your pet and explain that you are self-isolating.
3. Your vet will tell you if your pet needs to be brought to the practice.
4. Arrange for a family member/friend to take your pet to the vet on your behalf.
5. Your veterinary practice will have their own protocols in place with regard to pets from self-isolating households. They may request that your friend/family member remains in the vehicle with your pet on arrival at the practice. Your friend/family member will have to call the practice when they arrive to inform the vet that they are waiting in the car park. The vet may come and collect the pet from the car park or invite your friend/family member into the practice with your pet.

• Your veterinary clinic will have their own protocols in place - please contact them for details of their operating procedures.
• See above, titled “What should I do if I am self-isolating and my pet requires emergency veterinary care?”

Please check with these organisations directly for further details.

• Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Guernsey Animal Aid

Please contact your local supplier for further information. 

• Please see the guidance in the downloads below relating to different importation methods and bathing animals.
• For transporters travelling with Condor, dropping off animals and returning immediately on the ferry, please email Freight-DL@condorferries.co.uk for guidance on the handover location and procedure.