There is no evidence that companion animals can transmit COVID- 19 to humans. Animal Welfare Board of India and World Health Organisation have also issued advisory & clarification to this effect-

(i) Animal Welfare Board of India has issued an advisory dated 11th March 2020 to all the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories to create awareness amongst public that animals which were taken care of may not be left for straying and also not to inflict unnecessary pain or suffering on animals because of COVID 19. Download the advisory here

(ii) Indian Government & World Health Organisation have also issued a clarification that there is NO evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the Corona Virus. Link - https://www.mygov.in/covid-19/

(iii) If you continue to face harassment, contact the local DM and police. To get the details please visit your local Administrative website for details of District Magistrate, visit State/District police website for details of nearby Thana.

Ministry of Civil Aviation has also shared that there is NO evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the Corona Virus.

Ministry of Home Affairs, Police Modernization Division, has stated in its advisory dated 17th April 2020 that there is NO EVIDENCE as of now that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 to people or that they might be a source of infection. The advisory also states that there is NO EVIDENCE to suggest that imported animals or animal products pose a risk of spreading the 2019 novel coronavirus. Further studies are needed due to the constantly evolving situation to understand how and if AT ALL, different animals could be affected by COVID-19. Download the advisory here.

Yes, but please follow the correct steps for feeding as advised by the Animal Welfare Board of India circular dated 25th April 2020 [download the circular here]. The Animal Welfare Board of India via this circular has issued Advisory on feeding the birds and animals during COVID 19 based on the final order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Sunita Dongre vs. Central Zoo Authority of India. In the order the Hon’ble Court directed that the Writ Petition to be considered as representation. Download the order here.

The pointers on the advisory are below –

1. During feeding of Pet or Street Animals, personal hygiene shall be maintained by all the feeders and should also identify the place and time. Feed of animals preferably should be away from the public movement

2. The feeder should co-operate with Local authorities implementing the Government of India/ State Government guidelines for lock down and maintaining Law & Order.

3. The norms of Waste Management, after feeding of animals should be followed preferably by destroying the feeding tray and newspapers, if any. The mask and gloves need to be destroyed of disinfected.

4. The Residents should also be made aware to notify not to litter leftover food and may be distributed in one corner where animals can eat with respect and keeping waste management in place.

5. The Resident and Local Authorities are requested to co-operate with Animal feeders with full protection obey their fundamental Duties as per Article 5 lA(g) of the Indian Constitution as read below: Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution says that it shall be the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests and wildlife.

6. The AWBI has also noted that inhuman behaviour of the people or animal owner towards animal including pet animals is punishable offence and the Police Department is requested to immediately act on the matter when reported by any person, feeder and animal welfare activists.

Supreme Court order and AWBI circular is attached.

Advisory of Animal Welfare Board of India dated 23rd March 2020 to all the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories states that feed and fodder for large animals and food for companion and stray animals are essential services and may be kept operational during lockdowns. However this is only an advisory and States are not bound to follow it. Therefore, you can take permission from the District Commissioner or District Magistrate office of your city for feeding street animals. If permission granted which is granted in a way of curfew pass you all will be able to feed the street animals. Download the advisory here.

Contact of your local DC & DM will be available on your local Government Administrative website and State Police Website.

On the directive issued only today by the Uttar Pradesh government, we are looking into the situation and are in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that essential services should include issuing passes to animal feeders and that they are permitted to go about (with restraint) to feed animals locally. Please reach out to us for any concerns you may face so we can help at the number mentioned.

The Hon’ble High Court of Kerala has observed that in view of the clear inclusion of “animal feed and fodder” as “essential items” in respect of which movement is permitted during the lockdown period, it would suffice if the petitioner carries a self-declaration stating that his movement to Kadavanthara is for procuring animal feed. Please show this judgment to Police Authorities if you are disallowed pass by authorities with respect to providing food to animals. Judgment can be downloaded here.

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare issued notification dated 7th April 2020 “Advising District Administration to make all efforts to ensure uninterrupted availability/supply of animal feed / fodder to Gaushala, shelter house, pinzrapoles etc to feed their animals. It is also stated in the notification that transportation/inter-state movement of animal feed and fodder is essential and exempted item as per Ministry of Home Affairs letter No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 25th March 2020.” Download notification here.

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairies issued a notification dated 23rd March 2020 to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories requesting Veterinary services to be considered as essential services and that veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in the State, including private veterinary clinics, veterinary pathologies animal shelter, private veterinary clinics function in the normal course. Download the notification here.

On 24th March 2020 Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines with a list of essential commodities during 21 days lockdown period. The guidelines with respect to animals mentions that animal fodder will be available commercially. Download the guidelines here.

On 25th March 2020 Ministry of Home Affairs issued an addendum to the 24th March 2020 guidelines stating that staff officers of forest who required to operate and maintain zoos, nurseries, wildlife, firefighting in forests, water plantations, patrolling and their necessary transport movement will remain open during lockdown period. Further, veterinary hospitals have also been included in essential commodities Download the guidelines here.

Latest Update From Indian Veterinary Association Date: 08.04.2020

Please contact and stay in touch with Local Authorities such as Animal Husbandry, Municipalities for medical assistance to animals as local authorities can guide and provide aid at this time. Please go to the Local Administrative website for details of DM; State Police website to contact local police; the Municipality website to contact the Mayor or Municipality Commissioner and go to the Animal Husbandry website of your State for veterinary facilities.

We are operating a helpline, please reach out to us at 8750777701 If we are unable to answer your call, please WhatsApp details on the same number and we will get back to you within 12-24 hours.

We really appreciate your help and that you would like to be a part of this initiative – it will be looked back as a remarkable moment in history. FIAPO has over 160 member NGOs and we all stand together in these times of trial. For any contribution you would like to make to us, please go to our page at www/fiapo.org/donation. For any contribution to our member NGOs seeking help, please Find the list here.

In these tough times, FIAPO urges everyone to join hands and serve all who are impacted by the lockdown ­ people and animals. We strongly urge all organisations and activists­ working for human or animal welfare - to work together so that we can reach out to maximum number of animals and humans in need.

We invite organisations with non-animal beneficiaries, to support efforts to ensure no animal goes hungry. And we request all FIAPO member NGOs and activists to provide assistance to migrant workers who are unable to reach their homes due to the current lockdown ­ free food, medical care. Hunger is unbearable ­ for humans and animals both. FIAPO invites people and organisations from all walks of life and different sectors to work to respond to this crisis with inclusiveness. Hunger does not discriminate, nor should our compassion.

Because we are stronger together.
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