At Poodle Network UK, the safety of our volunteers and anyone they come into contact with is paramount. During the current situation, we all need to be responsible, sensible and truthful to ensure the safety of all concerned whilst rescuing and rehoming the dogs which need us all.
The current Government advice for Covid-19 on 16/03/2020 is:
All people with flu-like symptoms - a fever above 37.8C or a persistent cough - should self-isolate (stay at home, away from other people) for seven days
Should the Government advice change, that will become applicable here instead.
Poodle Network UK have a number of ‘contact situations’ which we all need to consider.
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Collecting a dog – this affects transporters, fosterers, the people handing the dog in
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Homechecking – this affects the homechecker and people in the potential new home
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Dog going to fosterer – affects the transporter and the fosterer
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Dog going to new home – affects the transporter and people in the new home
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Dog which has come from someone who has died from Covid-19. Dogs are not carriers and it is not passing to dogs from owners. It is currently unknown if and for how long it can survive on surfaces including coats/leads/belongings coming in with dogs. Also relatives handing the dogs in may have been in contact with the person who died.
Therefore any VOLUNTEER likely to come into contact with people who is showing any flu like symptoms, with a temperature above 37.8°C or a persistent cough or who has been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed / believed to be suffering from Covid-19 or visited a high-risk area/country MUST effectively self-isolate from volunteering for seven days or longer if needed in line with the government advice and notify us they are doing so if asked for help.
Anyone HANDING A DOG IN who is suffering from or believed to be suffering from Covid-19, showing any flu like symptoms, with a temperature above 37.8°C or a persistent cough or who has been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed / believed to be suffering from Covid-19 or visited a high-risk area/country has a legal responsibility to notify us. We will work with you on this as we understand dogs may have lost their owners and/or need to be rehomed but it must be done safely. Ring 0300 999 7685, explain the situation and you will need to work with us on this as it may take us longer to collect and sort the dog whilst we ensure everyone's safety.
Anyone WISHING TO ADOPT A DOG who is showing any flu-like symptoms, with a temperature above 37.8°C or a persistent cough or who has been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed / believed to be suffering from Covid-19 or visited a high-risk area/country has a legal responsibility notify us. We will be unable to complete your homecheck or complete an adoption until you are fully clear under the current Government rules. Please be truthful with us as anyone not being truthful is affecting our Rescue, our volunteers and their families lives and our ability to help dogs who need us. We are not refusing you a dog, just postponing it until you are well and able to care for a dog. Should you become affected and are part way through an adoption you must ring 0300 999 7685, and explain the situation.
Volunteers and Adopters with medical conditions which put them into an ‘at risk category’ must seriously consider their condition before putting themselves at potential risk of coming into contact with people you would not usually come into contact with. Should you choose not to volunteer or you wish to delay adopting a dog, we fully understand, we would prefer you look after your own health and safety. Should you choose to still volunteer or adopt a dog it is at your own risk as we cannot guarantee you will not come into contact with Covid-19.
Collecting Dogs needing to be Rehomed – this may take us longer than usual to arrange. We need to ensure the safety of everyone concerned. People handing dogs in will be required to sign that they are showing no symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone or any situation that they may be infectious, that they will notify us should this change before the dog is collected & also sign disclaimers for being in contact with our volunteers. Volunteers must maintain the government recommended distance from the people they meet where possible.
Homechecks & Rehomers/Adopters - We need to ensure the safety of everyone concerned. The people in the home will be required to confirm that they are ALL showing no symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone or any situation that they may be infectious & sign a disclaimer for being in contact with our volunteers. Volunteers must maintain the government recommended distance from the people they meet where possible.
Over 70’s & At Risk Categories being instructed to Self-Isolate: should it be brought in by the Government that people over a certain age or in ‘at risk categories’ have to self isolate, this will affect adopters (people having dogs from us) and volunteers as we will not be in a position to use volunteers over the age set or in at risk categories or rehome to people in the age bracket or in at risk categories until this is lifted by the government. This will affect our ability to respond to collecting dogs, fostering dogs and rehoming dogs. We ask that everyone work with us on this.
We ask that everyone be truthful and work with us as dogs will need our help, maybe more so than ever. Poodle Network UK’s priority is for everyone to remain safe & well whilst continuing to help Poodles who need us.
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