Companion Animal Health Risk is Low for Most People

PETCO Works with CDC in Providing Safe Handling Info

News media across the country filed stories Monday about a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics stating that “nontraditional pets pose a health risk to young children and people with immune deficiencies, and ownership and exposure should be discouraged in these populations.” The academy’s news release called on pediatricians and veterinarians to raise awareness of health risks and precautions to prevent injury and illness related to companion animals.

The story made a big splash among newspapers, on TV and on Yahoo and Google news pages – but its old news to PETCO and government health officials. In fact, PETCO’s in-store signs and companion animal care sheets already carry language explaining safe-handling responsibilities to prospective pet parents.

“Basically, we agree with the statements in the pediatrics academy’s news release, but we should educate the public about how to handle their pets properly to avoid disease transmission rather than discourage people from owning pets,” said Dr. Tom Edling, PETCO Director of Veterinary Medicine. “All of these diseases are already out there. Because they are everywhere, it’s much better to educate the public and continue to enjoy the wonderful health benefits of pet ownership than to scare people into not experiencing pet companionship. Let’s teach and educate the public about good hygiene. By doing that, everyone wins.”

Here’s a passage from PETCO’s Safe Small Animal Handling sign: “All small animals can carry germs, which may infect humans. Simple precautions can help prevent the risk of infection. Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should consider not having a small animal as a pet. Contact your physician for more information.”

Additionally, the current PETCO Care Sheet entitled “Recommendations for Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Diseases in Reptiles,” available on PETCO.com, reads, in part: “Persons at increased risk of infection or serious complications of salmonellosis (e.g., children less than 5 years of age, immuno-compromised persons and pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant) should avoid contact with reptiles and reptiles should be kept out of their households.”

The language on our in-store safe handling signs was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the federal agency charged with guiding consumers in these matters. We maintain a close relationship with the CDC and continue to update our policies and safe care guidelines to keep them in line with the agency’s current recommendations.

We believe there is nothing quite like seeing a person’s face light up, be it a small child or an adult, when they interact with an animal. That’s why we continue to advocate, through ongoing education of our associates and customers, the proper care and handling of small animals to avoid any health risks and still experience all the benefits of pet ownership.