BOARD MEMBERS

President: Cindy Wiemann

Vice President: Tommy Condrey

Secretary Treasurer: Regenia Wells

Board members: Cyndi Hoffman, Mellisa Haller, Clyde Burchett, Patrick Quinn, Amy Payne, Jessica Stone and Jennifer Weiss

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 Statement on Officer Safety During the  COVID-19 Pandemic

For the safety of our officers and the public they serve, GACA is advising all officers to take extra measures to mitigate the short and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures include protecting themselves properly to reduce risk related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as working to manage and minimize the number of new animals entering our shelters.  

 
The primary method for officers to protect themselves remains appropriate social distancing practices. Additionally, officers should follow CDC’s recommendation to wear a cloth mask whenever leaving home including when working in the field or the office, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.  

 
Out of an abundance of caution, officers should make every effort to avoid entering a residence on any call for service. If an officer must enter the home, inquire first to see if someone known or suspected to have COVID-19 is currently living there. If not it is recommended to wear a cloth facemask and disposable gloves.  The officer should continue to make every effort to maintain appropriate social distancing and minimize contact with the residents. Working in the animal care and control field presents unique challenges If the officer is responding to the home of a known or suspected COVID-19 patient see the NACA Statement on Removing Pets from Homes of Residents that are Confirmed or Suspected to be Infected With COVID-19 

After removing an animal from a vehicle, the animal housing compartment should be cleaned and disinfected following shelter protocols and utilizing appropriate chemical products per label directions. See the ASPCA Shelter Disinfectant Quick Reference Guide for dilution and contact time guidance.  

  
All equipment including but not limited to leashes, crates, control poles, grabbers, nets, etc. should be cleaned and disinfected after use on each animal.  

 
Recommended PPE for officers to have on hand include:  
➢ Mouth/respiratory protection: A cloth mask for routine wear, a surgical or other facemask and an N-95 type respirator if available.  

➢ Eye protection:  goggles or face shield that fully covers the front and sides of the face  Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are NOT considered adequate eye protection.

➢ Barrier protection, hands: disposable nitrile gloves or similar  Gloves should be changed when they become torn or heavily contaminated Be aware of cross contamination, gloves should also be changed whenever you should have washed your hands had you not been wearing gloves (ie after contact with something contaminated and before using phone, entering vehicle, etc.)

➢ Barrier protection, body: An isolation/surgical gown, coveralls, or other disposable or reusable/washable clothing, used to cover and protect clothing and bare skin from potential exposure Should be carefully removed and discarded in the trash or placed in a bag for later disposal or laundering