Nassau Humane Society
March 19, 2020
Updated: March 18, 2020
For future updates click here.
Dear friends of NHS,
We are asking your help to keep both our people and our rescue pets safe during the coronavirus emergency.
We need to reduce the number of pets in our shelter so we can continue our life-saving missions for vulnerable animals in need.
We are asking you to please consider adopting or long-term fostering one of our shelter dogs or cats. We are waiving all adoption fees between now and Saturday to say “thank you.”
If you can foster a pet, we’ll provide all the supplies you need. Please call us at (904) 321-1647 to ask about our foster animal delivery program! You can see our adoptable/foster pets online at nassauhumane.org/adopt.
Here are other steps we are taking:
Our group dog walks and volunteer orientations are canceled for now. We are asking experienced volunteers to sign up online for continued enrichment of the animals, within the guidelines of social distancing. Volunteers will receive an email with a link, along with optional training links for volunteers who are opting out of physically coming to the shelter, so they can stay involved with training until they can return.
We strongly encourage the public to limit shelter visits to animal fosters and adoptions only.
We will not be taking in owner surrenders at this time. Animal Control dispatches will be limited to emergencies, in accordance with National Animal Care and Control recommendations.
For our Dog Park patrons: We will be limiting admission to 10 members during 45-minute sessions throughout the day. This is to adhere to recommended social distancing and avoiding large group gatherings. Please sign up for a time slot in person or over the phone (904-321-1647). One time slot per person per week (you can attend during the allocated time daily). New members as time slots allow. Time slots will start at the top of each hour and end at 45 past each hour to allow for sanitizing in-between sessions. The park will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily except Tuesdays (extended weekend hours).
There are additional ways you can help during this time:
Share our Facebook animals available for adoption from our photo album to help them get one step closer to their forever home.
Share your adoption success stories to promote adoption!
Please consider a monetary donation to Nassau Humane Society. We are committed to our lifesaving missions during this time and will continue to assist animals in need, but we cannot do so without your help. Our staff is working to heavily sanitize all public traffic areas daily (lobby, bathrooms, etc.). Please visit nassauhumane.org/donate to help.
We are sorry for the inconvenience, but the health and safety of our staff and volunteers is paramount. Please come meet your new best friend while adoption fees are waived. If you have questions, please email: [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding, and your support of rescue animals!
The NHS Adoption Center is at 639 Airport Road in Fernandina Beach, (904) 321-3647. Adoption hours are 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, closed Mondays. The NHS Dog Park is at 641 Airport Road.
Links: Preparedness for your pets
Pet disaster preparedness kit from the CDC
Coronavirus FAQ from the CDC
Update March 17, 2020 — The impact of the coronavirus situation cannot be downplayed. However, please base your actions on facts.
Do NOT surrender your pets to shelters because of this pandemic. Most shelters were full prior to this. Adoptions are slowing down and some shelters are closed to the public.
If you need assistance in feeding your pet please EMAIL us ([email protected]) or call 904-321-1647. Nassau Humane Society will assist you by providing food or helping you find a food bank in your immediate area.
Please also consider taking time during social distancing and consider opening your home to foster an animal in need.
Nassau Humane Society supports our fosters with all food, crate, preventative and supplies. You just provide space, time and love.
March 13, 2020 — The Nassau Humane Society is continuing normal operations and we have many wonderful pets looking for loving homes.
It’s important to know that, to date, there have not been any cases of dogs or cats becoming sick with the new coronavirus, COVID-19. There is also no evidence of people catching the virus from companion animals. However, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals.
Our facilities team uses hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the shelter, and high-touch areas are being cleaned daily.
There are hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer throughout the shelter. Any visitors to NHS are encouraged to wash their hands or sanitize between touching animals to prevent the potential spread of any illness.
NHS is asking employees, volunteers and potential visitors who are sick to stay home. We are also reminding employees to practice good hand hygiene, and cover coughs and sneezes. We are not prohibiting volunteers from coming to the shelter, but we understand if volunteers feel it is in their best health interest to avoid the shelter now that social distancing has been recommended.
Future NHS adoption events will be evaluated based on current recommendations by the CDC and health officials.
We have plans in place to make sure NHS animals are cared for in the event of an emergency.
NHS encourages all pet owners to have an emergency plan in place for their pets. Make sure pets are wearing proper identification; have crates and extra food or supplies on hand; and identify a trusted family member, friend or pet sitter who can care for your pet if you become ill or are hospitalized.
The NHS Dog Park is currently open. We are implementing the same cleaning protocols and have installed extra sanitizing stations. We ask guests who may have traveled recently or are not feeling well to please avoid coming to the dog park, for everyone’s safety and well-being. We ask that our patrons only enter the office when necessary — please use your key card on the gate. Please keep a reasonable distance from others in the park, and try not to shake hands or hug. Please wash your hands often — we have hand sanitizer in the park and out front.
Our Second Chance and Closet stores are taking steps to assure the stores are as clean and safe as possible. Hand sanitizers are available for our staff, volunteers and customers.
Please check back at this website or our NHS Facebook page for updates. Thank you!