[Fran911]

Picking up a new puppy in a few days.
We are looking for advice on how to pick up the dog in this current crazy world.
How do we physically get the dog and make sure his fur, etc is clean and free of the virus before we handle him or take him in to our home.
It is my understanding that dogs can’t get or carry the disease like humans, but we are assuming it could survive in/on their fur for a period of time. Please help!

 

[pandora]

Stop...
Dont listen to BS on the internet . There is NO evidence that pets can transmit covid 19
*The CDC says that “while this virus seems to have emerged from an animal source, it is now spreading from person-to-person.” The CDC recommends that people traveling to China avoid animals both live and dead, “but there is no reason to think that any animals or pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this novel coronavirus.” * (quote AKC)

There is a tiny and I mean TINY possiblity that the virus could live on fur if the dog has been in contact with an infected human. But if youre picking up a pup the chance is much much much higher you would catch it from the puppy breeder or the gas station attendant on the way there than the pup. So make sure the breeder is not showing any symptoms and avoid contact for any longer than is absolutly necessary.
Then take a deep breath, use common sense and stop panicking

 

[Knute]

I agree with the previous post. Dogs are not carriers, although I don't know if Covid-19 could survive on the fur for some time.

You may be more comfortable wearing a pair of nitrile gloves to handle the pup. Place the pup in a crate for transport. Give the pup a bath when you get home. Soap and water will remove the virus.

Then dispose of the gloves, wipe down any surface you've touched wearing the gloves, then wash your hands.

Nitrile gloves are readily available at DIY stores. There are vinyl and latex versions too.

 

[LittleFr0g]

First of all, congrats on your new pup! As for minimizing your risk, try to complete the transaction without coming closer than 6 feet to the breeder, that's your safety zone as far as the virus is concerned. I would also contact the breeder ahead of time to discuss your concerns on how best to protect both of you during the transaction and to come up with a game plan for how you will handle the transaction to do this. As for the pup, it is unknown right now how long the virus can survive on dog fur, but if you put the pup in a crate (which you should anyway while driving, it's safest), and avoid touching your face (which you should be doing anyway), you should be fine. Once you get home, give the pup a quick bath, which will eliminate any chance of virus on it's fur, wipe down the car and crate with disinfectant, and then enjoy your new pup!