Nassau Humane Society, affiliates to reopen Tuesday

The NHS shelter, dog park and Second Chance and Closet stores will follow state guidelines for phase one reopening and any guidelines disseminated by the Nassau County Emergency Operations Center and medical advisors. All of the facilities will be following the guidelines regarding social distancing, protective gear, sanitizing and limited groups of individuals in a facility.

What you need to know:

• The dog park will reopen Monday and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except Tuesdays for deep cleaning.
• Reservations will be required for 45-minute exercise periods, and the park will be limited to 10 clients and their dog(s) at any given time.
• The Second Chance and Closet resale stores will reopen Monday and will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The stores will be closed Sundays.
• The Nassau Humane Society Animal Shelter continues to operate under its full mission.
• The shelter will be accepting animals that are surrendered, injured or rescued.
• The shelter will also be adopting animals, arranging fosters and caring for the medical needs of animals.
• The shelter continues its animal control duties and responsibilities.
• The shelter will operate with a 10-person limit (including staff as well as public) in administrative, kennel and public areas of the facility. (It recommends that visitors call 904-321-1647 for an appointment to avoid exceeding the 10-person gathering limitation.)
• Adoption “meet and greet” groups will be limited to not more than four individuals.
• Shelter staff will escort prospective adoption clients in the kennel areas. (It recommends that individuals in the “high-risk” category as outlined in the state guidelines wear a mask and follow social distancing.)
• The shelter will be routinely disinfecting and sanitizing all surfaces in public areas to include restrooms, hard surfaces, light switches and floors, as well as animal housing areas and medical treatment areas.

NHS dog park rules

• Reservations will be taken for each day the dog park is open for 45-minute exercise periods beginning on the hour.
• Call the dog park administration at 904-321-1647, ext. 107 to make a reservation.
• The dog park will be limited to 10 clients with their dog(s) for each exercise session.
• On the 3/4 hour, the dog park will be closed for the staff to sanitize the facility. (The card access gate will be disabled.)
• All clients will enter the dog park through the park’s administrative office and leave the park after their exercise period via the side gate.
• Social distancing is required while in the dog park exercise area.
• The dog park recommends that those individuals in the "high-risk” category as outlined in the state and federal guidelines wear a mask.
• In the event there are not 10 reservations for the next hour’s exercise period, a client may request additional time with the administrative staff person on duty on a first come first serve basis.
• Dog park members may choose to bring their own water for their animals.

NHS Store information

• The stores will be limited to 20 persons in Second Chance and seven people in the Closet store.
• Staff will wear masks and gloves during hours of operation.
• Social distancing will be required in the stores.
• Customers are recommended to wear masks if they are deemed to be “high-risk” category as outlined in the state and federal guidelines.
• Customers will be asked about their health status prior to entering the stores.
• Receipt and pickup of donations will be postponed for one week after opening.
• Dressing rooms will be closed during phase one of the COVID-19 protocols.
• If donations are unable to be sanitized, those donations will remain in the storage area for a period of 72 hours.
• The stores will routinely be disinfecting and sanitizing all public areas and hard surfaces in the store, restrooms, doors and switches.

Volunteering information

• All volunteers will be required to maintain social distancing.
• Group dog walking will continue to be suspended at this time.
• All volunteers will be scheduled by the volunteer coordinator for particular assignments.
• All volunteers categorized as “high-risk” are recommended to wear masks and gloves.
• NHS and its affiliates will be operating under the conditions outlined inGov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-112 and Florida’s Recovery Plan, The Plan: Phases for Re-opening Phase I guidelines.

Anyone with questions can contact the Nassau Humane Society at 904-321-1647 or send an email to info@nassauhumane.org.