COVID-19 Operational Information
We at Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue are reeling from the changes happening in the world, as we know you are. COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind, and we want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to make sure our Volunteers are safe. RMGDRI and its volunteers are committed to being here for Great Danes in need.
Colorado, as well as many other states has issued a “Stay at Home” order in effect currently and this will affect some of the Rescue’s operations. However, we are considered an essential business, and that allows us to continue to serve the communities in the 14 states we operate in. That said, Vet visits for your foster and transporting the Danes coming into or out of the rescue and if needed, getting food for your foster are the only reasons you should be using this “ essential business” exemption to be out.
In keeping with the Shelter in Place order, all events have been cancelled in Utah and Colorado until further notice.
We are still accepting surrendered Great Danes, and are successfully placing them in foster homes.
Our Applications Team is working hard to process all the new applications that are still coming in. We always need Foster Families, so please consider filling out an application if you have some time to foster right now.
Homechecks are being done via FaceTime and other video calls until the danger of doing them in person has passed.
For families who are surrendering your Great Dane:
Our transport teams are going full force and we would like to list here how transports should be handled during this time of social distancing
Please send only necessary items such as medications, or food with your Great Dane. Beds, blankets, toys, and dog clothes are not needed, and the foster family most likely has these items on hand. A leash and collar are expected and appreciated to make sure we can transport safely. Please be ready to load the Dane quickly into the transporters car, while remaining a safe distance away from our Volunteers during this process.
For our Volunteers who are transporting:
- It is important when picking up a Dane from a surrendering family that you do not accept beds, blankets, toys, etc.. Only food and medications should be traveling with you and the Dane. Please make a quick exchange so that both you and the family are kept safe, and have hand sanitizer or Clorox Wipes on hand to wipe down the leash or your hands prior to getting back into your vehicle. We cannot risk the Dane getting loose, so please make sure the leash is held securely in your hands if you are wearing gloves.
- Making quick exchanges with volunteers on each leg of the transport will ensure safe social distancing. If you can manage to keep one volunteer in the car while the other loads and unloads the Dane, that would be optimal.
- Communicate with each other as to when you will be arriving to meet another volunteer so they can make sure their car doors are unlocked, and ready to go for quick loading.
- If you are transporting a Dane directly to the foster home, please call the foster when you are a few minutes away to make sure they can meet you in the driveway. Only the foster and the Dane are to enter the foster home. The transporter needs to make sure the Dane is handed off to the foster family safely, and uses a hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipe prior to getting back in their car.
Vet Visits
Most all of our vets have implemented the following protocols. Below is an example. Please check with your specific vet on their protocols before taking you pets in. Most have already sent out emails on this information to all of their clients.
However, our foster homes have probably not received anything from the vets the rescue uses for the foster Danes in our care. We will be trying to get the protocols for the vets your foster Danes will be going to prior to your scheduled appointments.
Example Vet Notice.
We are taking the health of our patients, our clients and our staff very seriously during this pandemic outbreak. We will be making a few changes to ensure we can continue to see patients while also taking care of our team.
Starting immediately:
- If you or a member of your household have tested positive for COVID-19, PLEASE RESCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT.
- If you have any symptoms of the virus: sore throat, dry cough or fever, PLEASE RESCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT.
- We are no longer permitting clients to enter the clinic. We ask that you call us from the parking lot when you arrive for your appointment. We will be taking important patient history over the phone and coming out to your car to retrieve your pet.
- If your pet is in need of a prescription medication or food refill, please call ahead and alert us when you will be picking it up. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call our front desk to let them know you have arrived. One of our staff members will deliver the items to your car. We will only be taking payment over the phone.
- Due to the airborne nature of the COVID-19 virus, we ask that you please refrain from engaging in conversation with the staff member who delivers your items or retrieves your pet. Please continue to utilize the phone as your primary method of communication with our team.
It is our goal to follow all of the CDC, as well as state recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We expect everyone will take care to utilize all recommended social distancing precautions to ensure their health and safety while carrying out any volunteer duties.
We appreciate and are humbled by your support during these unprecedented times. It is our greatest honor to make sure Great Danes in need find love, safety, and wonderful forever homes in both good times and challenging times! We will get through this together, and will remain dedicated to the safety of our Volunteers and the well being of the Danes we rescue! We remain Dane Strong!