Hope Animal Shelter Takes Precautions

By Stephanie Harris , 03/24/20 12:31 PM

Hope Animal Control Officer Tammy Austin gave a report Monday morning on how the Corona Virus scare has affected their office and what is being done differently to maintain the safest and best care for the animals,

Austin said they have been cut back to just one employee at a time but they are still still in service to the city of Hope. Traffic in and out of the shelter is being limited to only absolute necessities. Anyone who absolutely must come into the shelter is being asked to clean their hands. Austin said they still have someone coming to feed and care for the animals, that they are not leaving the animals unattended or without care. People who want to view the animals are being asked to view them from outside. The back of the shelter is cleaned with bleach every day anyway as part of the daily care of the animals. That has not changed.

Austin said the Texarkana shelter has animals that have been brought there because their owners believed they could catch the virus from the animal, but Austin said the animals are “not affected at all.”

They are still answering calls from 7a.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week. Austin said they are not going into homes.

“ We are doing everything we can to keep from closing,” Austin said.