ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
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      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
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      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
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      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
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    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
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    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
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COVID-19 and Cats

​Tiger tests positive for COVID-19
A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City has tested positive for the corona virus. It is the first known case of a non-domesticated animal catching the disease. Officials believe the animal, a Malayan tiger named Nadia, was infected by an asymptomatic zoo keeper, as the zoo has been closed to the public since March 16th.

Along with Nadia, two Siberian tigers and three African lions are all exhibiting similar symptoms but have not been tested. Symptoms include a dry cough and a decreased appetite, but none have exhibited other symptoms seen in humans, such as fever or shortness of breath. Nadia was sedated with general anesthesia for her test, and samples were taken from her throat, nasal cavities, and trachea. Aside from their symptoms, the zoo reports that the cats are otherwise alert and interactive with their keepers.

​So what risk is posed to domesticated cats?
There is still much that is unknown about human to animal transmission, and if the disease can be passed from animal to animal. However, at this point experts believe that cats cannot pass the virus onto humans. To date, two cats have tested positive for COVID-19, one in Belgium and the other in Hong Kong. Both animals were owned by individuals who also tested positive for the virus. Symptoms present in the cat from Belgium included diarrhea, vomiting, and respiratory issues. This cat tested positive for the virus via a fecal sample. 

However, there have not been any cases of cats infecting their owners, or one another. A study completed in at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China found that there is community spread among cat populations; however, the study was done under conditions that did not parallel those of the real world, utilized a small sample size, and has not been peer reviewed. Therefore, any conclusions for the study are not scientifically reliable. 

Even though the chance of transmission from you to your cat is low, experts still recommend that people infected with COVID-19 avoid contact with their pets. As a general rule, the CDC recommends that owners wash their hands after interacting with pets and that cat owners and caretakers ensure that their cats maintain proper hygiene. Healthy individuals, however, can still cuddle up with their feline friends without worry as long as they take the proper precautions. 
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • TNR Support Letter
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store