Anicom Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Anicom), owns Anicom Insurance, Inc., a pet insurance company known as a major pet insurance company.
It was only three days after the state of emergency was declared on April 7, following the spread of the new coronavirus.
Services for owners infected with corona
The outline of the #StayAnicom project is as follows.
- A service for owners who have been infected with the new corona.
- Part of Anicom’s facilities will be opened, and pet dogs and cats will be kept free of charge while the owner lives in the isolation facility or is hospitalized.
- Employees, mainly Anicom veterinarians, take care of pets while they are in custody.
- Information that will be updated from time to time will be announced on Twitter’s Anicom official account.
The flow from application to custody is as follows.
- Fill in the information on the application form.
- A person who is not in close contact with the infected person takes the pet to the facility.
- Raise pets at Anicom’s facility. The owner is returned after discharge and recovery.
Another major feature of this project is that it can be used by people who do not have Anicom’s pet insurance. In the future, the scale will be expanded according to the number of applicants, region, and custody situation.
Project announced 48 hours after the start of the study
We asked Atsushi Ogawa, General Manager of the Corporate Planning Department, Anicom Holdings, about the background of the project and the current situation.
In fact, the media” Anicom You “operated by our company also voiced anxiety. I was wondering if there was anything we could do, and the idea of providing a facility to temporarily store pets emerged. I wanted to eliminate anxiety and at the same time prevent the situation of abandoning pet breeding. Is. “
The project was announced only 48 hours after the start of the study. It can be said that this is a very quick move for a corporate project, but Mr. Ogawa is proud that “it is an expression of the employees’ desire to help animals.”
Immediately after the project was announced, there were a series of inquiries and telephone consultations. At the moment, there are about 500 inquiries, most of which are support messages, but there are more than a dozen cases of actual infection (or strong suspicion of infection).
Currently, it is said that two dogs are kept at one facility in the Kanto area.
For those who cannot transport animals to the facility (such as not being able to ask a third party), the company’s employees may handle it only in the Kanto area.
We are also considering visiting services in areas other than Kanto in the future.”
Visiting pet care involves the staff of Anicom going to the owner’s home to take care of the toilet and meals. Basically, it does not correspond to going out for a walk, but it can also handle excrement. To prevent the spread of the infection, staff should wear protective clothing as well as masks and gloves.
But why did pet insurance companies take such steps so quickly?
There are dozens of researchers, veterinary clinics, laboratories, and animal care facilities. Above all, hundreds. People’s animal lovers are gathering. I think that it was because of these assets that we were able to start the project quickly.” (Mr. Ogawa)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government installs dedicated dial
The movement of “public assistance” by public institutions has also begun. At a press conference of the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike on Friday, May 1, the following was announced.
As of April 28, there are 635 home care recipients (as known by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government). In order to prevent domestic infections, the city is working to secure accommodation facilities that accept asymptomatic and inherited patients with the new coronavirus infection.
On the other hand, many people want to stay at home. It’s because of pets or people who have to take care of them.
So, in Tokyo,
If you can secure a depository such as an acquaintance/friend or a pet hotel, please use that.
If you have trouble securing a depository, please contact the dedicated dial-in Tokyo (03-5320-4392, weekdays 10: 00-16: 00). It was decided to take care of it temporarily at the Tokyo Animal Protection Counseling Center. We are also requesting cooperation from the Tokyo Veterinary Association.
(The above is a summary of the author’s excerpt)
“Points of preparation” for keeping pets are introduced in detail by the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Welfare Bureau.
In addition, Fukuoka City announced on May 5 that it will take care of dogs and cats that have become difficult to raise when the owner is urgently hospitalized or admitted at the Fukuoka City Animal Protection Management Center.
“Points of preparation” for keeping pets are introduced in detail on this page of the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Welfare Bureau.
In addition, Fukuoka City announced on May 5 that it will take care of dogs and cats that have become difficult to raise when the owner is urgently hospitalized or admitted at the Fukuoka City Animal Protection Management Center.
