On Aug. 13, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced that the territory of the USVI is returning to the ‘Stay at Home’ phase of the COVID-19 response. Therefore, effective Monday, Aug. 17, the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (SCAWC) is limiting the intake of both owned and stray animals. Because the SCAWC provides essential services to the community, it will continue to help the people and pets of St. Croix through its community clinic, adoptions and other programs.
To maximize the center’s ability to save lives, SCAWC is urgently asking for help from the St. Croix community:
1) All owner surrenders and stray intakes will be by appointment only. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 778-1650. SCAWC will accept only limited numbers of animals on a case-by-case basis.
2) Owners who want to surrender their pets are encouraged to call the animal center to discuss alternative options. Healthy owned animals will not be accepted until further notice.
3) If you see a healthy-looking adult stray dog, please do not pick it up and bring it to SCAWC.
The center encourages the community to feed stray dogs where they are for now. If a stray animal is injured, very young, or otherwise in distress, please call before bringing the animal to the center.
4) The Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program is suspended beginning Aug. 17. Stray or feral cats may be brought to SCAWC for this program only in case of an emergency. Please call in advance before bringing the cat to the center.
5) The SCAWC adoption center, which is called The Pet Place, remains open with social distancing requirements in effect. SCAWC has many wonderful pets looking for homes. Now is a great time to add a new pet to a family. Please look at the SCAWC website, www.stcroixawc.org, for photos and information about all the adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. Call The Pet Place to make an appointment to meet a pet at 340-725-PETS (7387).
6) The Project SAFE community outreach program is curtailed beginning Aug. 17, except in case of emergency.
7) The SCAWC Flea Market is closed during the ‘Stay at Home’ phase, beginning Aug. 17.
The SCAWC Community Clinic will continue to provide limited veterinary services to safely help people and their pets. Please call 778-1651 to schedule an appointment. The following procedures are in effect:
1) Appointments are required. Walk-in clients will be accepted only in cases of emergency. Please call 778-1651 to schedule an appointment.
2) All elective surgeries and procedures, including spay/neuter of owned animals, and wellness visits such as annual exams, are canceled. Anyone who already has an appointment will soon be contacted by the clinic staff to reschedule.
3) The clinic can provide you with the necessary health certificate and vaccinations, by appointment only, if you are traveling with your pet. If you feel that you must leave the island at this time, contact the SCAWC for information about how to move your pets with you.
4) Please call ahead to arrange for the purchase of heartworm preventive and/or flea and tick preventative. Clients also must call in advance to refill medications.
To comply with social distancing requirements, for the protection of our staff and the community, the number of visitors in the lobby area of the SCAWC main location at 5 Corners is limited to a maximum of three at any one time. This applies to all persons visiting for any purpose, including Community Clinic clients. People may be asked to wait outside or in their cars until employees are able to help you. Please be patient; these measures are to protect everyone’s health and safety. Please do not visit SCAWC if you have any symptoms of illness.
If anyone cannot care for his or her pets, due to illness or for any other reason, create a plan for family, friends or neighbors to properly care for the pets, or place them in the care of a boarding facility. The SCAWC is not able to board owned pets. Businesses on St. Croix that may be able to board pets include Progressive Veterinary Hospital (718-1256), Sugar Mill Veterinary Center (718-0002), Frederiksted Animal Clinic (772-4781) and Chandra’s Pet Salon (514-2327). There is no evidence that people can catch the virus from dogs or cats; however, it is always a good idea to practice basic hygiene when interacting with animals and to wash hands frequently. Don’t forget to stock up on pet food and supplies.
St. Croix Animal Welfare Center is implementing these measures during this challenging time in order to save as many lives as possible, to ensure humane care for the animals in our custody in the face of expected staffing shortages, and to protect human lives. This is a time of uncertainty for us all. If there are any questions or concerns, please call 778-1650, or send an email to administration@stcroixawc.org.
SCAWC is a non-profit. Donations can be made online at www.stcroixawc.org.
