LEWIS CLARK ANIMAL SHELTER CLOSING TO GENERAL PUBLIC DUE TO COVID-19 RISK

March 17, 2020

March 17, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

 

LEWIS CLARK ANIMAL SHELTER CLOSING TO GENERAL PUBLIC DUE TO COVID-19 RISK

 

The Lewis Clark Animal Shelter is continuing to monitor the CDC recommendations and is taking the necessary precautions for the health and safety of our shelter staff, volunteers, community, and our animals. We want to emphasize our support of the recommendation of social distancing and avoiding crowds. If you have recently traveled, have a cold or cough, or have had an illness with fever, please stay home and get well. We certainly do not want to put anyone at risk.

Currently, we are limiting the public community visitation to the shelter.  We ask for no large groups or "field trips" for out-of-school children/teens. While we normally welcome school groups, tours, service groups and more, we are NOT allowing them until further notice. Volunteers are being asked to stay home at this time.

In order to continue to provide needed services to the community, the shelter is open only to those that are utilizing adoption or have made an appointment for owners reclaiming lost pets. If you come to utilize our adoption services, please be respectful, utilize our sanitizing stations and keep personal space, so that our staff can continue to provide the best care possible for the animals that need us.  LCAS will allow owners to reclaim their pets, but the process for that will be changing to minimize contact with the public.  Any questions, please contact the shelter.

People who have found a stray are asked to call the shelter where staff will determine on a case-by-case basis if animal control will pick up the animal, or if the caller should bring the animal to the shelter. The goal is to minimize contact with general public as much as possible.

People who have lost a pet and believe it may be at the Lewis Clark Animal Shelter also are asked to call instead of coming directly to the shelter.  The shelter staff will explain the procedure to claim their animals.

The LCAS Clinic Services and Walk-In Vaccine Clinics have been revised at this time.  No additional surgery appointments will be scheduled, and all walk-in vaccine clinics have been suspended until further notice.

If you are looking to adopt one of our available animals, please visit our website first to familiarize yourself with our animals. We would love to help you add a new family member to your home.   http://www.lcshelter.org/adopt/ 

Effective immediately, and until further notice, certain services will be made available by appointment only.  During this time, service changes will include, but not limited to:

• Pet adoptions will be by appointment only.
• If you believe your pet is being cared for at the Lewis Clark Animal Shelter, call to schedule an appointment to bring your pet home. (208) 746-1623
• Owner surrenders will not be received until further notice. 
• Animal Control officers will continue to respond to public safety and animal welfare calls such as dangerous dogs, sick/ill animals, police assistance, animal cruelty investigations, patrols, and dead animal reports. Less urgent calls will be deferred until further notice.

We will continue to monitor the CDC recommendations and give any updates about hours, volunteering, volunteer orientation, dog obedience classes and future events.  Staff will still report to work to care for the animals. Donations will remain a vital part of the shelter.  http://www.lcshelter.org/donate/ways-to-give/

Thank you so much for helping us do our part to keep our community safe.

For additional information, please refer to the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/animals.html

www.lcshelter.org  / (208)746-1623

 

 

Donna Duffau

Director of Operations

Lewis Clark Animal Shelter

208-746-1623

info@lcshelter.org

www.lcshelter.org

 

Becky Sturmer

Development Director

Lewis Clark Animal Shelter

208-746-1623

giving@lcshelter.org

www.lcshelter.org