AN OPEN LETTER TO FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REGARDING PETS AND COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
Media Contact: Gwyn Donohue, PIJAC Director of Communications and Public Affairs, gwyn@pijac.org, 202-452-1525 x1080
*Note* the first version of this letter was distributed on Friday, March 13. We are updating the letter, and the date on the downloadable PDF as more members of the pet care community sign their support.
Open Letter to Federal, State & Local Government Officials Regarding Pets and COVID-19 Precautions
We in the responsible pet care community are extremely concerned by the threat to human health posed by the rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic, and commend the swift actions you and your peers across the country are taking to safeguard the population. As you take defensive steps by directing event cancellations and facility closures in order to create social distances that will help control the spread of disease, we urge you to also consider the well-being of the pets and other animals loved by the citizens in your communities.
According to the 2019-2020 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 67% of American households (84.9 million) own at least one pet. 95% of pet owners consider their pets to be part of the family. It is vital that businesses that provide products or services for the care of pets, and those that house animals, are included among the critical infrastructure that is allowed to remain open throughout the crisis. Just as grocery stores and hospitals provide necessary sustenance and medical care to humans, pet stores that sell food, products and supplies and businesses that offer veterinary and boarding services must remain operational to ensure the continued humane care of animals.
Pet stores supply nearly one-third of all dog and cat food needed by the pet-owning population; that number is much higher for food required by other pets like small mammals, reptiles and fish. Grocery stores that may be allowed to remain open generally only offer limited pet food options and they don’t always have the specialized food, supplements and even medication that are required to maintain the health of millions of beloved pets and animals nationwide—nor are they set up logistically to serve ALL pets in this country. Grocery stores alone cannot fulfill the demand and animals would needlessly suffer.
Additionally, many national and local retail pet supply stores also offer veterinary care and pet boarding services on site. Forcing these stores to close in many cases will also shut down access to veterinary care, veterinary pet diets, and a dependable facility to temporarily house pets in that community.
It should be noted that pet stores which house and care for animals, such as puppies, kittens, small animals, birds, reptiles and fish, must remain operational to at least a limited degree so that staff can take appropriate care of the animals housed there. Since staff will need to be on site regardless of whether or not the store is open, it makes sense to allow them to provide pet owners with necessary food and care items.
You are already taking important measures necessary to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, including the elderly and the immunocompromised. We ask you to also ensure that your community has the ability to provide appropriate care for the pets and animals that depend on them, and list pet stores as essential retailers that are exempt from any mandatory closures.
If you have any questions or need additional information, we in the responsible pet care community stand ready to help you safeguard both human and animal health and well-being.
Sincerely,
Mike Bober, President and CEO, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
Dana Brooks, President and CEO, Pet Food Institute
Steve King, CEO, American Pet Products Association
Vic Mason, President, World Pet Association
Celeste Powers, President, Pet Industry Distributors Association
Al Puntillo, Steering Committee Chair, Independent & Neighborhood Pet Retail Association
Retailer Community:
Ron Coughlin, CEO, Petco
J.K. Symancyk, President & CEO, PetSmart
Chris McCurdy, Interim President, PetSmart Charities
Joe Watson, President and CEO, Petland
Chris Rowland, CEO, Pet Supplies Plus
Michael Levy, Founder and President, and Mark Witriol, Co-Owner, Pet Food Express
Lars & Marisa Wulff, Co-CEO’s, Mud Bay
Richard Maltsbarger, President & CEO, Pet Valu & Pet Supermarket
Lindsay Mutschler, CFO, Concord Pet Foods and Supplies
Mike and Trish Elkind, Founders, and Carrie McDermott, CEO, PetPeople
Jeff David, CEO, Independent Pet Partners
Paul Allen, Founder and CEO, Woof Gang Bakery
Joe Dent, President, and Monica Pitzner, Chief Marketing Officer, Three Dog Bakery
Michael Seitz, CEO & Chairman, Earthwise Pet
(Below are listed alphbetically by state)
Bill Trufant, President, B & B Pet Stop, Inc., Mobile, AL
Daughtry Perritt, Owner, Pet Depot LLC, Florence, AL
Keith Evans, Owner, Petland Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
Samantha Boyle, Owner, Petland Rogers, Rogers, AR
Frank Mineo, Owner, Animal Kingdom, Phoenix, AZ
Becci Scott, Owner, Fetching Dog, Scottsdale, AZ
Vicki Mineo, Owner, Puppies n’ Love, Phoenix, AZ
George Richter, Owner, Dog Dog Cat, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Andrew T. Kim, Founder & CEO, healthyspot, Culver City, CA
Kristin Dutton, Director of Merchandising, Kahoots Feed and Pet, Ramona, CA
Mike Lemos, Owner, Lemos Feed and Pet Supply, San Luis Obispo, CA
David Sidhu, Owner, Self Serve Pet Spa (Pet Food), Bakersfield, CA
Kim Everett, Owner, The Perfect Parrot, North Hollywood, CA
Justin & Susanna Furlone, Owners, The Wishbone Pet Company, Freedom, CA
Marvin Schaffer, Owner/General Manager, J & M Aquatics & Pet Center, Grand Junction, CO
Dustin Haworth, Owner, Pet City, Colorado Springs, CO
Tara Fleming, Owner, AtoZ Pet Shop, Orange, CT
Jared Pinsker, Chief Executive Officer and President, Best Friends Pet Hotel, Norwalk, CT
Laura Reid, President, FishMart, West Haven, CT
Peter Noel, President, Gentle Jungle Pet Store Inc, Meriden, CT
Jennifer Scott, Owner, The Pawprint Market, Darien, CT
Robin Kershner, Founder, Huxley & Kent, Washington, DC
Heidi & Sean Potter, Owners, American Dog Outfitters, Key West, FL
Emily Soft, Manager, Animal House Naturals, St. Petersburg, FL
Debra C. Lange, Owner, Benson’s Canine Cookies, Lakeland, FL
Nancy Okun, Owner, Cats n Dogs, Port Charlotte, FL
Dr. James B. Wood, Coral Sea Aquarium, West Palm Beach, FL
Douglas Ward, President, Geo Global Partners (OASE Aquatics and biOrb brands), West Palm Beach, FL
Michael Selk, VP of Operations and Engineering, Geo Global Partners (OASE Aquatics and biOrb brands),
West Palm Beach, FL
Tricia Bolds, President/CEO, Gulf Coast Pet Supplies, Inc., Sarasota, FL
Kendra Conze, Owner, Health Mutt, LLC, Tampa, FL
Alexandre Karfunkelstein Lima, Owner, Hollywood Houndz Boutique, Spa & Hotel, Lake Mary, FL
Andrea Passuello de Freitas, Owner/Manager, Le Pup Pet Supplies and Grooming, Clermont, FL
Patrick McGinnis, CEO, Leo & Lucky’s, Parrish, FL
William & Cindy Rein, Owners, Luke’s Natural Pet Market, Coral Springs, FL
Alan Garson, Palm Beach Puppies, Boca Raton, FL
Holly Elassaad, Owner, Pet Nation, Navarre, FL
Stephen Benecke, Owner, Petland Bradenton, Bradenton, FL
Luis Marquez, President/Owner, Petland Davie, Petland Largo, Petland Miami, Petland Naples,
Petland Pembroke Pines, Petland Plantation, FL
Kelli Daniels, Owner, Petland Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
Brad Parker, Owner, Petland Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
Adrian Archie, Owner, petNmind, Coconut Creek, FL
Paul Lewis, Owner, The Green K9, Mount Dora, FL
Ben & Lisa Prakobkit, Owners, The Modern Paws, Tampa, FL
Jennifer Fadal, Founder/Owner, Wag the Dog Incorporated, Tampa, FL
Dottie DeCarlo, Owner, Woof Gang Bakery – Lakewood Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, FL
Peggy Williams, Owner, Backyard Pet Boutique, Rome, GA
Joann Schwartz, Owner, Bark & Lounge Doggy Day Care & Boarding, Atlanta, GA
Darla Spinnato, Owner, Camp Bow Wow Alpharetta, Alpharetta, GA
Peter Grossman, Managing Member/Owner, Camp Woof Companies, Norcross, GA
Renee Palmer, Founder, CEO, CityDog Market, Atlanta, GA
Mecca Fox, Owner, Diggin’ It, Rome, GA
Toni Barry, Highland Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA
Ian Awbrey, Highland Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA
Richard & Edgardo Lott, Owners, Pause 4 Paws Pet Grooming and Hotel, Douglasville, GA
Brad Parker, Owner, Petland Kennesaw, Kennesaw, GA
Kristen Parker, Owner, Petland Mall of Georgia, Buford, GA
Monte Brokate, Owner/Franchisee, Petland of Dalton, Petland of Rome, GA
Tim Green, Owner, Sandy Pawz, Brunswick, GA
David and Marilyn Crabb, Owners, The Stock Market, Conyers, GA
Eileen Kelly, Owner, The Whole Dog Market, Atlanta, GA
Jean Finney, Owner, The Whole Dog Market, Atlanta, GA
Judy Erlichman, Owner, Wags to Whiskers, LLC, Peachtree City, GA
Carol Young, Owner, Wags to Whiskers, LLC, Peachtree City, GA
Ron & Wendy Solsrud, Owners, Petland Iowa City, Iowa City, IA
Michael & Barbara Morris, President and Co-Owner, Treats on a Leash LLC, Ames, IA
Kayla Kerr, Owner, Puppyland, Meridian, ID
Leslie Corral, 4 Legs Pet, Chicago, IL
Mark and Caroline Janczak, President and Secretary, Critters Pet Shop Inc., South Elgin, IL
Beth Staley, Owner, Happy Dog Barkery, Downers Grove, IL
James Horne, Co-Owner, Jameson Loves Danger, Chicago, IL
Gracie Whalen, Co-Owner, Jameson Loves Danger, Chicago, IL
Liz Varela, Owner, Liz’s Pet Shop, Chicago, IL
Angie DeMars, Owner, Noah’s Ark Pet Supply, Winnetka, IL
Douglas E. Gronowski, Owner, Orland Park Boarding Kennel & Natural Pet Food Center, Orland Park, IL
Jim Sparks, Owner, Park Pet Shop Inc., Chicago, IL
Candace D’Agnolo, Founder & CEO, Pet Boss Nation, Chicago, IL
Carl Swanson, Owner, Petland Chicago Ridge, Petland Naperville, Petland Rockford, IL
Adam Berger, Owner, Petland Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Beach, IL
Sophie Phillips, Owner, Sprocket & Stone, Chicago, IL
Phillip Emigh, Owner, Tails in the City, Chicago, IL
Bruce Haas, Owner, Tails in the City, Chicago, IL
Madeline Rannin, Owner, The Groom Wizard, Yorkville, IL
AdreAnne & Andy Tesene, Owners, Two Bostons, Naperville, Wheaton, Burr Ridge, Geneva, IL
Matt Smallheer, President, Tye-Dyed Iguana, Fairview Heights, IL
Janelle Pitula, Owner, Wags to Whiskers, Plainfield, IL
Brandi Calvert, Physical Therapist Assistant and Certified Dog Trainer, Wags to Whiskers, Plainfield, IL
Brad Cantwell, President, MidWest Homes for Pets, Muncie, IN
Cindy Dunston Quirk, Founder and Chief Dog Lover, Scout & Zoe’s, Anderson, IN
Samantha Youngblood, Owner, Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center & Massage Therapy,
Greenfield, IN
Jennifer Thomas, Owner, Lucky Dog Outfitters and Pet Supply, Lawrence, KS
Staci Williams, Owner, Petland Topeka, Topeka, KS
Rebecca Hertel, Owner, Petland West Wichita, West Wichita, KS
Brannon Dixon, CEO, Feeders Supply/ Chow Hound Pet Supplies, Louisville, KY
Leslie Stewart, Owner, Southern Barker, Lexington and Louisville, KY
Robert Schenk, Owner, Animal Instincts Aquarium & Pet Center, Fall River, MA
Nicoll Vincent, Owner, For K-9s & Felines, LLC, Westfield, MA
Rob Mellace, Owner, Healthy Pet, Peabody, MA
Stephen Varner, Owner, Maggie’s Foods for Pets, West Boylston, MA
Andrew Gaouette, Owner, Mutt Waggin’ Pet Supplies, Medfield, MA
Rob Mellace, Owner, Pet Express, Lynn, MA and Braintree, MA
Lucia Mellace-Castle, Owner, Pet Express, Danvers, MA
John Mellace, Owner, Pet Express, Saugus, MA
Carlos Munoz, President, The Perfect Puppy, Plainville, MA
Tiffany Lynn Higgins, Owner, The Spa at Tiffany’s Pet Grooming & Boutique, Hinsdale, MA
Mitch Thomson, Just Puppies, Inc., Rockville, MD
Jeanea Thomson, Just Puppies, Inc., Towson, MD
Susanna Brennan, Owner, Scratch and Sniff Pet Supplies, Phoenix, MD
Helen Bennett, Owner, The Grooming Place Pet Shop, Chester, MD
Joseph W. Wagner, Jr., Owner, Today’s Pet, Inc., Elkridge, MD
Ann Peterson, Owner, Ann-imals Pet Supply Store, York, ME
Heidi V. Neal, Owner, Loyal Biscuit Company, Rockland, ME
Bill Backus, President, A&M Aquatics, Lansing, MI
Joel DeBruin, CEO, John A VanDenBosch Co., Holland, MI
Gary Albert, Owner, Ruff Life Pet Outfitters, Petosky, MI
John Stottele, LLC Member/Owner, The Family Puppy, Troy, Novi and Flint, MI
Kristin Smith, Owner, Four Paws and a Tail, Blaine, MN
Michelle Lynn Nelson, Owner, The Pet Authority, Albert Lea and Austin, MN
Doug Pasternack, Franchisee, Petland Blue Springs and Petland North Kansas City, MO
Ryan Boyle, Owner, Petland Joplin, Joplin, MO
Thomas Killmade, Owner, Petland St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO
Chris Fleming, Owner, Pinnacle Pet, Neosho, MO
Chase Pierce, Owner, Tailwaggers Montana, Whitefish, MT
Heather Persinger, Owner/General Manager, Aristopets Pet Food & Supplies, Lewisville, NC
Phil Ray, Owner/President, Best 4K9, Greensboro, Oak Ridge and Winston Salem, NC
Heather McClain-Howell, Owner/Operator, Fit for a Pit, Kinston, NC
Scott Wildman, Vice President, Pawsitively Pampered Pets, Huntersville, NC
Todd Shelton, CEO, Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, Charlotte, NC
Laura Backus, Owner, Purrfect Bark, Columbus, NC
Benjamin Mayes, General Manager, Claremont Pet & Aquarium Center, Claremont, NH,
Lebanon Pet & Aquarium Center, West Lebanon, NH, Steve’s Pet Shoppe, Lebanon, NH
Curt Jacques, President, West Lebanon Feed & Supply, West Lebanon, NH
Lacie Hyde, Owner, Bark Avenue Puppies, Red Bank, NJ
William Chappell, President, Bill’s Wonderland of Pets, Magnolia, NJ
Claudia and Roy Loomis, Owners, Cherrybrook Premium Pet Supplies, Phillipsburg, NJ
Teresa & George Davenport, Owner, Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming, Turnersville, NJ
Yoly Parra, Owner, Fashionable Pets, Paramus, NJ
Cindy Knowles, Co-Owner, Furrylicious, Whitehouse Station, NJ
Stephanie Earl, Co-Owner, Furrylicious, Whitehouse Station, NJ
Damon Yoon, General Manager, Ny Puppy Club, Edgewater, NJ
Jonathan Dubreuil, Owner, Shake a Paw, Green Brook, NJ
Jeff Morton, Owner, Shake a Paw, Union, NJ
Dana West, The Pet Shoppe, Middletown, NJ
Susana Vasquez, Owner, Pet Food Gone Wild Inc., Rio Rancho, NM
Paul Tomas, Puppy Boutique Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Chin Li Kuok, Owner, Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Richard Hansen, Owner, Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Cynthia Daluise, Owner, Arcadia Pets, Staten Island, NY
David Jacoby, Owner, Citipups Chelsea, New York, NY
Holly Hemingway, Owner, Citipups Village, New York, NY
Carla and Dave DellaContrada, Owners, Mother Nature Pet Supply, Manlius, NY
Billy Shinn, CEO/Owner, NY Puppy Club, Flushing, NY
Howard Lee, General Manager, NY Puppy Club, Flushing, NY
Judy Wong, Owner/President, Paws in Paradise NYC, Brooklyn, NY
Douglas Staley, Owner, Pet Palace of New City, New City, NY
Jim Seidewand, President, Pet World & Aqua Shoppe, Rochester, NY
Boris Zekster, Puppy City, Brooklyn, NY, and Puppy Paws, Ozone Park, NY
Marc Jacobs, Shake a Paw, Lynbrook, NY
Sophia Alexopolous, The Pet Market 72, The Pet Market 57 and The Pet Market Broadway, New York, NY
Joseph Manzi, President, Total Pet Care, Holbrook, NY
Jessica MacDonald, Owner, USA Dog Shop, Tuxedo Park, NY
Allen Alagna Manello, Owner, USA Dog Shop, Tuxedo Park, NY
Judith Lonergan, Owner, Wagging It in the ADK, Old Forge, NY
Mike Gonidakis, President, Citizens for Responsible Pet Ownership (CRPO), Dublin, OH
Daniel S. Woods, Owner/President, Earthwise Pet Supply, Cincinnati, OH
Joe Sanfillipo III, Owner, Pet Wants – Cincy West, Cincinnati, OH
Scott Hoots, President, Pet Wants Franchise System, LLC, Cincinnati, OH
Rachel Steinman, Owner, Pet Wants Hamilton, Hamilton, OH
Christopher Miller, Owner, Pet Wants Hamilton, Hamilton, OH
Christina Wood, General Manager, Petland Pickerington, Pickerington, OH
Keith and Emily Ellsworth, Owners, Pure Pet LLC, Salem, OH
John Mack, President/CEO, Reptiles by Mack, Xenia, OH
Brent Clark, Owner/President, A1 Pet Emporium, Oklahoma City, OK
Jennifer Flanagan, Owner/President, Nature’s Pet Market, Sherwood, OR
Matthew Flanagan, Owner/Secretary, Nature’s Pet Market, Wilsonville, OR
Rod Vahle, President, Accent on Animals, Philadelphia, PA
Joe Doto, President, Bradley Caldwell Inc., Hazleton, PA
Brian Batten, President, Fins and Feathers Inc., Honesdale, PA
Barb Emmett, President/Owner, Godfrey’s – Welcome to Dogdom LLC, Mohnton, PA
Tim and Stephanie Raubenstine, Owners, Nature’s Pet Place, Hanover, PA
Heather Blum, Owner, Petagogy, Pittsburgh, PA
Ben Huber, Owner, Petagogy, Pittsburgh, PA
Elsie Lampl, Owner, Petagogy, Pittsburgh, PA
Allison Stetz, Owner, Petagogy, Pittsburgh, PA
Cole Wolfson, Owner, Petagogy, Pittsburgh, PA
Mark Arabia, Owner, Pets Plus Natural, Lansdale, PA
Lisa Kirschner, President/Owner, Sit, Stay N’ Play, Stroudsburg, PA
Jerry Fleming, Owner, Yuppy Puppy, Stroudsburg, PA
Brian Zeigler, Vice President, Zeigler’s Distributor Inc., Lebanon, PA
Michael Baker, President & CEO, Pet Food Experts and Rumford Pet Express, Pawtucket, RI
Carlos Munoz, President, The Perfect Puppy, North Scituate and West Warwick, RI
Kaye Massie, Owner, Irmo Pet Retreat, Columbia, SC
Robin Snelgrove, Owner, Paisley Paw Pet Boutique, Spartanburg, SC
Lamar Parker, Owner, Petland Summerville, Summerville, SC
Christine Rokey, Owner, Treat Your Pet SC, LLC, Myrtle Beach, SC
Nicole Olesen, Owner, Woofs & Waves, Sioux Falls, SD
Melissa Sturm, Owner, Agri Feed Pet Supply Company, Knoxville, TN
Lana K. Melton, Owner, Oak Ridge Feed and The Grooming Room, Oak Ridge, TN
Elaina A. Pate, Manager, Oak Ridge Feed and The Grooming Room, Oak Ridge, TN
Linda Burnsed, Owner, The Farm at Natchez Trace, Franklin, TN
Cogie Smeeton, General Manager, The Farm at Natchez Trace, Franklin, TN
Glee Thacker, Owner, Very Important Pets, Adamsville, TN
Ginger Axley, Owner/Manager, Wagg-n-Purr Retreat, Athens, TN
Diana Farrar, Owner, Fifi & Fidos Pet Boutique & Holistic Nutrition Center, San Antonio, TX
Patricia Carter, Owner, Patti’s Pet Depot, Houston, TX
Joshua Nie, General Manager, Petland Frisco, Frisco, TX
Jake Patel, Owner, Petland Frisco, Frisco, TX
Jay and Grace Suk, Owners, Petland of Dallas, Dallas, TX
Luis Marquez, President/Owner, Petland Tyler, Tyler, TX
Kathleen & Brian Evett, Owners, The Upper Paw, Dallas, TX
Christy Howard, Owner, Three Dog Bakery Texas, Fort Worth, TX
Scott Click, President, Tomlinson’s Feed & Pets, Austin, TX
Kelly Ross, Franchise Owner, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming The Woodlands, Tomball, TX
Bruce and Meridith Wehrle, Owners, Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, Katy, TX
Brandon Swenson, COO, NextPaw.com, Salt Lake City, UT
Linda Theuerkauf, Owner, Bark and Sparkle, Midlothian, VA
Edmond Blausten, Regional Director – Virginia, BlackNose Pet Resorts, Glen Allen, VA
Nancy Guinn, Owner, Dog Crazy Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Richmond, Spotsylvania and Stafford, VA
Matthew O’Leary, Owner, Felix & Oscar, Springfield, VA
Amanda Wilbourne, Owner, The Nautical Dog, Williamsburg, VA
Karen Congero, Owner, Style A Dog LLC, St Thomas, VI
Kevin Eddy, Owner/President, Pet Food Warehouse / Vermont Pet Food & Supply, So. Burlington, VT
Lloyd Campbell, Vice President, AFCO Distribution, Spokane Valley, WA
Deb Wilson, Director of Business Development, All the Best Pet Care, Seattle, WA
Cheryl Pruett, Owner, Pandora’s Box Quality Pet Products, Vason Island, WA
Bill Greene, General Manager, Pet Central Grooming & Supplies, Reber Ranch Pet Supply and
Reber Ranch Veterinary Hospital, Kent, WA
Justin Kerr, Owner, Puppyland, Puyallup, WA and Puppyworld, Olympia, WA
Julie M. Sterling, CEO, Sterling Pet Products, Marysville, WA
Mike Sardina, Janesville Petland, Janesville, WI
Keri Torgerson, Owner, Mac’s Pet Depot Barkery, Milwaukee, WI
Adam Berger, Owner, Petland Racine, Racine, WI
