Abstract
This note assessed how animal care organizations and the animals in their care were impacted, negatively and positively, by the coronavirus pandemic. Several animal care organizations in the United States–including animal shelters, rescues, sanctuaries, and zoos–were contacted directly, and invited to share their experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They provided valuable in-depth insight into how government shutdowns and social distancing impacted their facility; if any of the animals in their care tested positive for COVID-19; how the animals in their care were affected indirectly by COVID-19; if they sought and received any government assistance to keep them operational; and how they project the future of their organization and their resident animals post-pandemic. Moreover, the note evaluated in what way the CARES Act, the Animal Welfare Act, and the Endangered Species Act helped ensure that animal care was a top priority among accredited animal care organizations. Furthermore, the note considered bankruptcy relief as a worst-case scenario option for animal care organizations to continue to provide care for their animals. Therefore, even if emergency financial help provided by the government during the coronavirus pandemic fails to assist animal care organizations, bankruptcy laws would ensure that these organizations, that play a key role in society, have a way to survive and continue to provide care for their animals.
Recommended Citation
Torrico, Juan Fernando (2021) “The Survival of Animal Care Organizations Impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020,” Environmental and Earth Law Journal (EELJ): Vol. 11 : Iss. 1 , Article 2.
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