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 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

ABOUT COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that spreads mostly from person to person. It is suspected that it originally came from an animal source, however it is now a disease of people. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory diseases. COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December of 2019.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. 

While scientists and drug companies are working to develop and test treatments and vaccines, at this time, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. The CDC and WHO warn people to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

The CDC has compiled everything you need to know about COVID-19 into a single-page PDF.

PUBLIC SAFETY

With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the rise worldwide, it is important for Martin County residents create their own preparedness plans. Creating a household plan can help protect the health of you and your family in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in our community.

Use this CDC checklist to help you take steps to plan and protect the health of you and your family:

  • Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan. Meet with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
  • Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. From the data that are available for COVID-19 patients, and from data for related coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk for more serious complications. If you or your household members are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, please consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. 
  • Get to know your neighbors. Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning. If your neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.
  • Identify aid organizations in your community. Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, health care services, support, and resources. Consider including organizations that provide mental health or counseling services, food, and other supplies.
  • Create an emergency contact list. Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.

Practice everyday preventive actions now.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

PET SAFETY

HSTC urges you to include your pets in your household preparedness plans, in the event Martin County is impacted by the virus that causes COVID-19. In addition to preparations typically recommended for any natural disaster threat, individuals with pets should identify family members or friends to care for pets if someone in the household comes ill and is hospitalized.

Make a preparedness plan for your pets:

  • Identify a trusted family member or friend to care for your pets if someone in your household becomes ill or is hospitalized.
  • Research potential boarding facilities to utilize in the event boarding your pet becomes necessary.
  • Have crates, food and extra supplies for your pet on hand in case moving them becomes necessary or if the disease spreads in the community and it becomes necessary to reduce social exposure.
  • All animal vaccines should be up to date in the event boarding becomes necessary.
  • Ensure all medications are documented with dosages and administering instructions. Including the prescription from the prescribing veterinarian is also helpful.
  • Pets should have identification including a collar with current identification tags and a registered microchip.

ENRICHMENT RESOURCES

  • Enjoy coloring pages for adults and children in this free, dog-themed coloring book! Click here to download and print your pages.
  • Enjoy 27 ways to keep your dogs entertained and avoid those pesky poor behaviors. Click here to download your free dog enrichment e-book!
  • Did you miss our Facebook LIVE series? Subscribe to our YouTube chanel and catch up on all of our great videos!  This is a great opportunity to engage the whole family!

SUPPORT HSTC

Virtual Volunteers

We have sent our volunteers home during this pandemic, but we are still in need of virtual volunteers! Our Volunteer Manager, Sarah Fisher, shares several DIY projects for creating enrichment activities for our shelter dogs in a video here.  For DIY enrichment activities for our shelter cats and critters, please click here! If you would like to participate or have questions, please e-mail Sarah at sfisher@hstc1.org 

Mask Makers

Feeling crafty and looking for a way to support the staff at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in helping pets in need? We are currently seeking fabric face masks for our shelter staff to use. Watch this do-it-yourself (DIY) video for some easy instructions to make face masks. Please click here to watch.

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HSTC SHELTER UPDATES AND REOPENING

REOPENING UPDATES FOR HSTC THRIFT STORES (6.30.20)

Since reopening our thrift stores in the middle of May and carefully observing the national, state, and local trends of this pandemic, the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast believes we can now safely expand our store hours. The thrift stores are a key component of our diversified revenue at HSTC, so this is a very important step forward for our organization.

Starting Thursday, July 2, our thrift stores will begin operating 7 days a week, from 10 am to 5 pm. Our delivery truck will also resume home visits to pick up large donations. Please call Central Thrift at (772) 286-6909 to schedule your donation pick up appointment.

Also, please be advised that starting July 6, both thrift stores are offering a month-long Christmas in July sale! Enjoy 50% off of all Christmas decorations through July 31, while supplies last.
 
All other COVID-19 modified operations will continue at both thrift stores:
Mobile adoptions at the thrift stores remain closed. We continue to adhere to a maximum occupancy of 25 people in the store at one time, including staff and volunteers. Parents of small children can bring only one child into the store. Customers, volunteers and employees must wear masks. If you do not have a mask, masks will be available for purchase.

Dressing rooms and the public restroom also remain closed. Directional arrows are in place to direct foot traffic while Plexiglas remains at each checkout station. Social distancing in the checkout lines, hand sanitizer stations, and constant cleaning around the store will continue to take place to ensure safety of our employees, volunteers, and customers.

ALL OTHER REOPENING PLANS AT THE SHELTER REMAIN THE SAME

FACILITIES: The shelter is open 7 days a week. We have returned to normal hours of operation: Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. HSTC remains closed to foot traffic and entry will only be permitted for those with a confirmed appointment. This includes adoptions, owner surrender intake, and owner requested euthanasia. Night Drop Off will continue to be closed until further notice. Face masks are required for employees, volunteers, and visitors.

ADOPTIONS: Our adoption center continues to operate via appointment only, but we have increased the number of appointments available each day to accommodate more requests. Please visit our online pet database to view all animals currently available first, and then call (772) 223-8822 to schedule an appointment. We are excited to announce that, in partnership with Bissell Pet Foundation, we are offering $25 adoptions for cats and dogs July 10-12.

WELLNESS CLINIC: Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) and the Public Spay/Neuter Program both continue to operate. Please e-mail us to coordinate TNVR efforts for free-roaming cats in your community. To schedule an appointment for spay/neuter, please call the shelter at (772) 223-8822. 

RECEIVING: Our receiving center continues to operate via appointment only, which may be scheduled by calling (772) 223-8822. 

VOLUNTEERS: We are increasing shifts throughout our departments for volunteers. Please reach out to Sarah Fisher for scheduling. We are also reinstating new volunteer orientations in small groups. Learn more here. 

HUMANE EDUCATION: Normal activities for Pet Therapy remain suspended, however safe and socially distanced visits continue to be coordinated with individual facilities. Obedience classes have restarted for groups of six people and less. You can see our class schedule here. The HSTC annual summer camp is cancelled. In lieu of an in-person camp, we will introduce an at-home program later this month. Please check back on our website for more details!

We thank you again for your continued patience and flexibility as we try to do what's best for our animals and for our community. We will continue to assess the safety of our employees, volunteers, and visitors as updates develop.

HSTC Updates
HSTC in the News during COVID-19
OFFICIAL RESOURCES + UPDATES ON COVID-19

For any questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the FL DOH COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121 or emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

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Contact Us

Humane Society of the Treasure Coast
4100 SW Leighton Farm Ave
Palm City, Florida 34990
Main Line: (772) 223-8822
Fax: (772) 220-3610
admin@hstc1.org

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Thrift Stores

Central Thrift Store:
2585 SE Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 286-6909

North Thrift Store:
1099 NW 21st St., Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 232-4887

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