News Photo by Julie Riddle Toby, a morkie fluffball fresh from a round of vaccinations, is reunited with his owners in the parking lot of the Alpena Veterinary Clinic Thursday.

ALPENA — “They’re not just an animal,” said Jennifer Lipps, a tiny, squirming dog on her lap in the parking lot of a veterinarian’s office. “They’re family members.”

As humans stay away from one another to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, companions of the non-human variety can offer solace and a reason to smile amid the stresses of the massive lifestyle shifts brought about by the pandemic, experts and pet parents say.

Pets can be vulnerable to some human illnesses. Animal lovers took notice recently when two housecats in New York were diagnosed with COVID-19, the sickness caused by the coronavirus. Both cats experienced only mild respiratory distress.

Five tigers and three lions at New York City’s Bronx Zoo also tested positive for the sickness, picking up the virus from an asymptomatic staff member.

In the parking lot of the Alpena Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, Ryan and Jennifer Lipps, of Presque Isle, discussed the importance of pets in a trying time as their morkie, Toby, was inside, getting updated on his vaccinations.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Toby poses for a pic with his papa, Ryan Lipps, in the parking of the Alpena Veterinary Clinic on Thursday.

“They’re always happy to see you, no matter what,” said Ryan Lipps. “It’s unconditional love.”

Northeast Michigan pet owners have asked whether they should worry about the safety of their favorite four-leggers, said Amanda Tolen, customer service representative at the clinic.

So far, no animals have been tested for COVID-19 at the clinic, but vets are able to test if the need arises, Tolen said.

“The best thing you can do? Vaccinate,” said Tolen, emphasizing the importance of heartworm checks, bloodwork, and other preventive care that can catch health problems before any symptoms show.

In laboratory tests, cats, ferrets, and dogs have shown they can contract COVID-19, with cats the most susceptible and dogs less affected by the illness.

Poultry and pigs don’t seem to get sick from COVID-19, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but scientists are still studying the possible effects on other livestock or wildlife.

There’s no evidence that pets play a significant role in transmitting the coronavirus, the CDC reassures pet owners, although, rarely, animals can contract the virus from their humans.

During the current health crisis, pet owners should treat their animal like another member of the family, using the same precautions of handwashing, avoiding contact (no kissing or licking), and refraining from sharing food.

People who suspect they may be infected with the virus should have someone else in their household care for their pets, if possible, and should wear a mask around their animals, the CDC recommends.

The devoted pet-mom to three dogs and a cat, Tolen changes out of her vet scrubs and washes up before even saying hello to her kids — or her pets — when she gets home from work.

An emergency medical technician with the Alpena Township Fire Department, Tolen has learned from both her jobs to take precautions to protect the health of others, animals included.

“The bottom of your shoes are gross, just so you know,” Tolen said. “Cell phones are gross. How many times have you thrown your phone on the couch, and your pet comes up and sits by it? I wash my phone.”

Veterinarian offices are limited by governmental stay-at-home orders, but they can still take in animals who need life-saving services or vaccinations for rabies or lepto, a serious bacterial disease that can be passed to humans through pets.

At the Alpena Veterinary Clinic, masked and gowned staff members meet pet owners at their vehicle, taking Fido or Fluffy inside and staying in contact with the owner by phone during the visit. A deep cleaning follows the visit of any animal that might have had contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms.

Glad to be able to be a stand-in for worried pet owners who can’t come inside with their animal friends, Tolen reassures owners that she’ll give their animal plenty of time to adjust to the office without their moms and dads present.

“I’ll gladly sit on the floor with a 180-pound mastiff and let him drool all over me,” the animal-loving EMT said.

People are worried right now — worried about their jobs, their families, their safety. They worry, too, Tolen said, about the animals who bring them comfort and companionship during lonely days at home.

“Just take precautions,” Tolen advised. “It’s all you can do in life.”

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.