Business urges not to close veterinary clinics and special pharmacies

19/ 03/ 2020

Listen to online Stop   In Ukraine, restrictive measures are being increased due to coronavirus. Thus, a quarantine was introduced by April 3 to counteract the spread of Covid-19, which implies suspending the operation of selling points, except for grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks. Undoubtedly, the business understands the importance of such tough precautions in this situation. At the same time, one should not mention the impact of such restrictions on pets. According to estimates, one in three Ukrainians has pets, so the impact can affect more than 10 million animals. In grocery stores that continue their operations, the range of feed is quite limited, and there is no specialized feed for animal health maintenance at all. For example, pets with specific illnesses (diabetes, kidney failure, postoperative conditions, etc.) require diet, without which the animals health deteriorates and the risk of mortality increases. In addition, pets, especially dogs, require routine vaccination against infectious diseases such as rabies, plague, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and others. Considering those facts, experts from the European Business Association stress that non-food stores specializing in the sale of animal feed, veterinary pharmacies, and veterinary clinics should be included in the list of important sites that should remain open during the quarantine. We request to provide an appropriate clarification to the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and local government authorities on the implementation of the provisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine On Amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of March 11, 2020 No. 211 No. 215 dated March 16, 2020. Dmytro Kyryliuk. EBA Animal Health Committee Coordinator.. Just as grocery stores and hospitals support people with essential supplies and medical care, businesses, specialized in pet care products or services, must continue their operations to provide uninterrupted care for the animals. Of course, online commerce can partially satisfy the needs of pet owners, but it needs to be considered that not everyone has access to it. The situation in regions and small towns and villages is particularly disturbing. That is why we hope that the work of such establishments will be resumed and that pet owners will be able to provide proper care for their pets.

In Ukraine, restrictive measures are being increased due to coronavirus. Thus, a quarantine was introduced by April 3 to counteract the spread of Covid-19, which implies suspending the operation of selling points, except for grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks.

Undoubtedly, the business understands the importance of such tough precautions in this situation. At the same time, one should not mention the impact of such restrictions on pets. According to estimates, one in three Ukrainians has pets, so the impact can affect more than 10 million animals.

In grocery stores that continue their operations, the range of feed is quite limited, and there is no specialized feed for animal health maintenance at all. For example, pets with specific illnesses (diabetes, kidney failure, postoperative conditions, etc.) require diet, without which the animal’s health deteriorates and the risk of mortality increases. In addition, pets, especially dogs, require routine vaccination against infectious diseases such as rabies, plague, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and others.

Considering those facts, experts from the European Business Association stress that non-food stores specializing in the sale of animal feed, veterinary pharmacies, and veterinary clinics should be included in the list of important sites that should remain open during the quarantine. We request to provide an appropriate clarification to the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and local government authorities on the implementation of the provisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of March 11, 2020 No. 211” No. 215 dated March 16, 2020.

Dmytro Kyryliuk EBA Animal Health Committee Coordinator.

Just as grocery stores and hospitals support people with essential supplies and medical care, businesses, specialized in pet care products or services, must continue their operations to provide uninterrupted care for the animals. Of course, online commerce can partially satisfy the needs of pet owners, but it needs to be considered that not everyone has access to it. The situation in regions and small towns and villages is particularly disturbing. That is why we hope that the work of such establishments will be resumed and that pet owners will be able to provide proper care for their pets.