Most of us are a aware by now, that the COVID-19 Pandemic CRISIS  is fluid and is continually evolving. We believe that every one has a role to play in preventing the virus from continuing to spread. Health Canada has deemed the risk to Canadians as high. As a result, Health Canada is asking Canadians to try to avoid non-essential gatherings and to always wear a mask and practice physical distancing whenever possible. As we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are taking the advice of Health Canada seriously and we are adamant about wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, especially around people who are not familiar to us.

The health & safety of everyone and their pets is our top priority - Covid has been detected in many types of animals so think twice before allowing people to interact with your own pets and limit how you interact with other people’s pets.

VISITS AT OUR HOME ...When visiting us at our home,  whether vaccinated or unvaccinated all visits are by invitation only. If after we schedule an appointment for you to come to our home to pick-up a pet, it is extremely important that even if you don't have symptoms but know that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if you feel  sick, stay home, and if someone in your household is sick, stay home too! Simply wait until everyone in your household is better before arranging any type of non-essential social interactions which includes visiting us. 

These are some safety precautions that we are taking that we feel are necessary.

• We can usually accommodate visits for people to view any animal (up to two animals maximum) that are ready to leave. Unweaned animals will not be available for viewing. 
• We have constructed a small, isolated area in our home with direct outdoor access that can be thoroughly cleaned before and after every visit.
• Unfortunately, we require a $50.00 non-refundable reservation fee before we will schedule a visit. Although this fee is non-fundable, if you choose to purchase a pet, it will be deducted from the purchase price of the pet you choose.  (rearranging our schedule and preparing for ever visit is quite time consuming and it costs us money. So, because of  no-shows and visits from people who just want to visit pets or can not afford a pet, we need to be selective when and who we invite to our home.) 
• Our schedule is somewhat flexible however as an added precaution, we will only book visits at 8 hour intervals. This is to give us ample time between every visit to steam clean the “viewing area” sanitize carriers, toys, enclosures, etc.
• Due to our limited space restrictions, in order for us to adhere to the recommended physical distancing protocol, we can only accommodate 3 people in total. Therefore, including ourselves, we can also accommodate a MAXIMUM of two other MASKED people at our home at any given time. If you arrive UNMASKED or if more than two people arrive, you will not be invited in.
• We do ask that all in home visits are kept brief. We invite and prefer that everyone call us by phone before or after their visit, to discuss / ask us any questions. Doing so helps all of us! Simply by limiting the time we spend together and minimizing our physical interactions, may help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• During the visit, without exception, we insist that everyone sanitizes their hands upon entering, wears a mask and always maintains a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 meters) from each other and our pets.
• While we are chatting about the pets and getting to know a bit about one another, guests will have ample opportunity to view the pet (s) that they are most interested in (up to two animals only) watching them playing and interacting with each other and us, but because of the current highly transmissible virus, guests will not be permitted to hold or touch the pet unless it is paid for and ready to leave.
• No animal leaves our home without a suitable safe transport carrier. We ask that you bring a sanitized, airline approved carrier. Although, typically we do not sell supplies, if you do not have one and you let us know in advance, if we can, depending on the current retail supply chain, we may be able to purchase one for you (at your expense…costs vary but recently it has usually been around $40.00ish)
• No animal leaves our home unless paid in full. Payments or Deposits are accepted via E-transfer, PayPal or cash.  
• If you prefer to purchase a pet without physically meeting first and you are certain about the pet you want to purchase, and after a telephone conversation whereby we have agreed to sell you a pet, once the pet has been paid for in full, in advance, depending on your  location and the time of year, we can often arrange curbside or porch pick-ups or  for a courier to do a porch drop off. (all delivery fees and associated charges are at the purchaser’s expense.)
• Shipping animals by air is not an option at this time.

It is especially important now, during the Pandemic, to have a strict sanitary protocol in place. But this also makes sense anytime. Whenever we buy or sell an item, we should first clean and disinfect the item, using soap and water before we sell them and again after we purchase them. This practice needs to apply to any new or used items that are washable.

• ‘Why leave it to chance’… All non-perishable, washable items , whether these items are intended for your pets to use, or if they are for yourself to use; whether they are acquired in person from a store, or a porch pick-up, home delivery or by any other means, always be sure to thoroughly clean everything and wash your hands, especially before touching your face or your pet. 
• Whenever possible, try to purchase perishable items a little in advance and if possible, keep them in proper storage for several days before using them. While you may not always be able to clean bedding, litter, or food items, often the packaging can be cleaned 
• Like us, animals can be asymptomatic carriers and although many never appear sick and may never become ill, they can still pass illnesses to other pets and sometimes to people. Pets can also catch things from people. 
• When bringing a new pet into a home with other pets, often the new pet is much younger and has not had time to build up it’s immune system yet, therefore it is usually best to quarantine it by limiting the number of people and pets that it interacts with. If you do have other pets, it maybe wise to consider that even though your original pet appears healthy, it may be an asymptomatic carrier, so it is best to keep any new pet from other pets for at least the first couple of weeks or at least until such time that you feel confident that your pet is healthy. 
• Getting a new pet is fun but it is also a stressful time for both the new pet and the caregiver. Try to limit the amount of stressful situations, i.e.. Limit dietary changes. Establish and stick to a routine. Initially, bathing a new pet should be limited to 'only as necessary' whenever possible. Unless the pet gets soiled it is probably best to let the pet settle in to its new home for a week or so.