Some local business owners are taking action for pet owners impacted by COVID-19.
Maria and Patrick Nolan are offering lodging and care for pets if their owners have to be treated at the hospital and have nowhere for their pets to go.
The couple owns Ruff House Stay and Play in Chesapeake and Bayside Kennels in Virginia Beach.
They started a non-profit called K9 Angels last year to help in situations like this.
Maria Nolan says they’ve heard stories of people refusing medical treatment because they had no one to care for their pets and want to make sure no one in Hampton Roads has to make that decision.
"[Pets] are part of the family," said Nolan, "We’ve talked to hospital coordinators who’ve said 'I had to call animal control because there was a dog left outside in the car while they went in to receive treatment,' you know, and yeah it is heartbreaking and that’s why it was my husband Patrick’s brain child and he said we have to do something,"
Related: Norfolk SPCA establishes Emergency Pet Pantry amid coronavirus crisis
People who need help can contact them through their website or Facebook page.
They also want this to be a community-wide effort, so they’re also looking for veterinarians or others who would like to help.
