COVID-19: Dog Handover Protocol for Dog owners

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Where can I find the latest guidance on Coronavirus and social distancing?

With easing of social distancing many dog owners will be going back to their day to day lives, but having a dog means that there are extra considerations that you need to take into account when managing your dog's care and, in particular, when physically handing over your dog into either the care of kennels, home boarders, dog day care, a dog walker, friend or relative. There is also the possibility that you or someone you know needs new or additional care for their dog as they are unwell or shielding, or perhaps they or someone else in their household has contracted coronavirus or suspect that they have contracted coronavirus. In all circumstances you should regularly check the latest government advice for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and should continually assess your own situation based on where you are located in the UK. The Good Kennel Guide has compiled some responses to commonly asked questions to help dog owners, kennels, home boarders, and those dog sitting or walking on behalf of anyone else during this period care for a dog safely during the pandemic.

Can I catch Coronavirus from my dog?

There is no evidence that dogs are implicated in the transmission of Coronavirus to people and the dog becoming infected is unlikely. There is some risk of the virus being carried by pets fur and their belongings (such as leads, collars etc) but there is no evidence that this will result in transmission to people. There is a risk of transmission between infected dog owners and those caring for dogs during the handover of dogs and risk assessments and measures need to be in place to manage this process. The level of risk will be specific to each household (for example, if someone is shielding in that household the risk to them from other people will be higher than someone who is not shielding, this would also apply to someone who has contracted or who is suspected of having contracted the coronavirus).

This advice assumes that you are already hand washing regularly for twenty seconds and following social distancing guidelines. The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG)* has issued information on protocols of additional measures which can be taken when handing over animals in order to ensure that this can be done safely. They have also issued separate more specific guidance for those running dog and pet related businesses such as rescue and re-homing centres. There is also specific for those who are walking someone else's dog during the pandemic.

How can I walk someone's dog safely during a pandemic?

Make arrangements with the person prior to collecting or dropping off their dog, this means that you can have an agreed process for drop off and pick up that can ensure minimal interaction with the person. Take additional precautions if that person is shielding, has coronavirus or is suspected of having coronavirus and do not offer to walk someone else's dog if you or anyone in your household fits into any of these categories (see further guidance below).
Arrange to pick them up and drop them off at a specific time. Where possible arrange for this to be done in a secure, outdoor place. If possible arrange for the dog to be tied to a fixed point so that you can maintain a two metre distance from their owner.
Use a different lead to the owner's.
Avoid touching your face, phone, door key and other personal object at any time of contact.
Where possible, minismise touching the dog.
Maintain social distancing whilse walking, keeping the dog on the lead and keep to quiet areas.
Once you have returned the dog, wash the lead with soap and water.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser as soon as you get home.

How can I walk someone's dog safely if they are shielding?

As well as the above you should do the following:

use a pet-safe disposable wipe or clean, damp cloth when collecting and dropping off the dog to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to the owner or to yourself. You should use separate cloths for this when dropping off and when collecting the dog and ensure that you dispose of cloths or wash them immediately afterwards.
You should also avoid driving to a different location to walk the dog and stay in the local area to the dog owners home.

How can I walk someone's dog safely if they have coronavirus or are suspected of having coronavirus?

As well as the precautions detailed in the sections above you should also:

Avoid any contact at all with the occupants of the home- maintain at least two metres distance where this cannot be avoided.
Wipe the dog with a pet safe cloth before and after the walk.
Keep the dog on the lead at all times.
Take care when cleaning up after the dog, consider using gloves as well as a strong poo bag and ensure that you dispose of it as soon as possible.

How can I safely handover my dog during a pandemic?

Only handover your dog at a specific pre-arranged time, don't arrive unannounced and ensure that you are on time for your alloted pick up or drop time.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before or after dropping off or collecting your dog.
If possible go to pick up or drop your dog off alone and do not take other members of your household with you.
If possible arrange to drop off and pick up your dog outside, and arrange to tie your dog to a secure fixed point two metres away from the person who is picking up or dropping off your dog.
Do not mix dogs with those from other households and keep them on the lead in public places.

What should I expect when I take my dog to kennels, home boarding or doggy day care?

You will only be able to attend at a specific pre-arrange time. You may be required to wear a face mask and use hand sanitiser of wash your hands on arrival.
It is possible that only one member of your household will be allowed inside, if at all. You may only be allowed entry inside if you are wearing a face mask or may be required to drop off or pick up your dog in a secure outside area- for example by tying your dog to a hook or post outside for the dog handler to collect. This will enable you to remain a safe distance away from the kennel or boarding staff.
You may be asked to limit the things that you send to the kennel or home boarding with your dog for example toys, blankets, bedding etc. It is possible that the kennel or home boarder will want to wash any equipment that you drop off with your dog. You should check with the kennels in advance so that you know what to expect.
The kennel or home boarder may use their own leads and collars and swap these over once they have received your dog. You should check with your kennel in advance so that you know what to expect.
Your dog may be wiped down with a pet-safe cloth of wipe upon arrival.
Many councils are not processing new applications for boarding establishments at this time, therefore licence renewals may be rolled over or be delayed.
If the kennel or home boarder is transporting your dog for you they should only transport dogs from the same household at the same time.
B prepared that you may need to pay by card or contactless rather than handling cash.

What can dog kennels and home boarders do to stay safe when handing over dogs during a pandemic?

Boarding kennels, home boarders and dog day care centres should be taking additional steps to protect themselves and their customers when handing over dogs. Some of the additional measures they should undertake are:

Only see customers by appoointment with specific drop off and collection times, this will limit the number of people in the same space at the same time, reducing the transmission risk. Where possible try to limit people dropping off or collecting a dog to one person per household.
Wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before and after handing over the dog.
Determine a way to receive and return the pet that allows for 2 metres social distancing and if possible handover in an outside secure area. If it is safe to do so, dogs should be tied securely to a fixed object such as a hook to facilitate the safe transfer from dog handler to dog owner.
If handover is done inside, face masks should be worn by both dog handler and dow owner. Either the dog owner or the dog handler should open any doors (not both) and door handles should be wiped down afterwards.
Wear gloves and use different equipment (such as carriers) where possible. Ensure that carriers are washed with soap and water once away from the animal and safe to do so.
Wipe the dog with a pet safe damp cloth at the point of collection and drop off. All wipes and cloths should be disposed off immediately after use.
Limit touching of your face. phone and other personal items during handover.
If you are transporting pets disinfect any surfaces with a pet-safe disinfectant before and after every journey.
Take payments by card or contactless wherever possible and avoid handling cash.

How to safely handover dogs from someone who is shielding, someone who has coronavirus or is suspected of having coronavirus?

Do not mix animals with animals from other households. Dogs coming from households known to be infected with coronavirus should be isolated within your facility for three days, and during this period they should be dealt with after all other animals on the premises.
Avoid any contact with the occupants of the home, maintain two metres distance at all times and avoid entering their home.
When walking a dog keep them on the lead in public spaces at all times so as to avoid other dogs and people touching them.

*The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) is made up of influential organisations who advise Government on behalf of the canine and feline sector on strategically important dog and cat health, welfare issues and standards. The CSFG is a "not for profit" body which offers expert advice and recommendations with a unified and respected voice on dogs and cats from members including charities, the veterinary sector and the pet industry.

This information may be subject to change so please regularly check Government guidance.