Kington Humane Society makes changes due to COVID-19 concerns

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingston Humane Society (KHS) has decided to modify one of its largest annual fundraising events.

‘Bowl for the Animals,’ scheduled for Sunday, Apr. 5, 2020, will now become ‘Virtual Bowl for the Animals.

In the past, the annual event has raised over $20,000 for the local Humane Society, but, in response to the threat of spreading COVID-19, KHS has been forced to cancel the actual bowling event. However, in its place, Executive Director Gord Hunter is asking that teams and donors continue to get pledges and give donations, according to KHS.

“We can’t responsibly ask people to gather in close proximity given the current situation,” Hunter said in a statement on Friday, Mar. 13, 2020, “But considering the importance of this fundraiser, we’re asking our bowling teams to continue seeking and receiving pledges. We’re calling it ‘Virtual Bowl for the Animals.’”

KHS encourages sponsors and teams to continue to register online, collect online pledges, and email completed sponsorship forms as they normally would for the event. Team registration and pledges will still be accepted through the KHS website here.

Additionally, KHS is enacting other temporary changes to their ongoing operations.

“The KHS is acutely aware of how quickly viruses can be transmitted so they have enacted increased disinfection protocols and restricted any procedures that might make staff, volunteers or the public more vulnerable to transmission,” the shelter said in a statement.

Those changes include:

• The microchip and nail-trim clinic scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 4, 2020 has been moved to Sunday, Jun. 7, 2020
• KHS has suspended animal transfers from outside the Kingston area
• KHS is asking members of the public who display respiratory symptoms and/or fever, to reconsider entering the building
• KHS is insisting that staff suffering from respiratory symptoms and/or fever, stay home and self-isolate.

The local Humane Society underlined that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that companion animals have been infected or could carry COVID-19.

“While the KHS remains open to the public, should COVID-19 become prevalent in Kingston, the KHS will consider restricting public access or closing on a temporary basis. Announcements will be made if and when additional changes are required.”