In these difficult pandemic times, medical talent and personal
protective equipment (PPE) have become the most treasured and
necessary resources as our nation battles this fast-moving
virus. States and municipalities have been forced to think
outside the box to try to source more equipment and identify
additional, trained professionals to address the escalating needs
of those individuals and facilities treating COVID-19 patients.
Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture
has done just that. It announced that it was temporarily
waiving the requirement that dogs and cats be spayed and neutered
prior to adoption. Shelters and rescue organizations have
continued to adopt out animals during the shelter-in-place period,
particularly to avoid overcrowding at shelter facilities that may
also be experiencing staff shortages due to coronavirus
infection. The waiver is designed to preserve scarce PPE for
human healthcare workers and minimize veterinary and staff
contact.
