SAFETY ON SETS©

This site serves as a helpful tool and resource guide as it pertains to hiring and working with professional Animal Talent and Handlers on set during the COVID – 19 period.

As the virus and recommendations for dealing with it change, so will this website.

SOS serves as a valuable reference tool for reference animal & handler information and various industry sources.

The SOS SAFETY ON SETS© team follows general guidelines & protocols for working with animal talent and animal handlers/wranglers on sets during the COVID-19 period.

COVID-19: A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

Just as the virus is described, this is a “NOVEL” or a new and unique situation. Therefore, every one of us needs to understand that there is no one right answer. And, we will all need to continue to be flexible in our approach going forward.

This serves as a general guideline as to how we at SOS SAFETY ON SETS© Animal Services are responding.

SOS will look to each client, each set and each studio/stage, to take the lead in defining their COVID -19 Shoot & Safety guidelines for each job.

We are neither experts nor scientists, however we will do our best to follow new and emerging information. Additionally, we are consistently scanning news and industry updates to gather new information.

APPLICATION & COMPLIANCE

SOS works in all forms of media:

  • + Television
  • + Film
  • + Print
  • + Streaming
  • + Web
  • + Apps
  • + Social Media
  • + Digital
  • + Documentaries
  • + Reality Shows
  • + Theater
  • + Live/Special Events

SOS SAFETY ON SETS© works on both Union and Non-Union jobs. We provide the same level of commitment on all jobs and to all clients.

Our SOS SAFETY ON SETS© protocols apply to all forms of media and jobs. Our Animal & Handler Safety Guidelines are applied equally across the board. However, we do realize that different jobs, different studios, and different clients will have their own shoot safety requirements and if shared, we are prepared to follow them to the best of our ability.

SET REQUIREMENTS & COMMUNICATION

It is the client's responsibility to provide us with job specific requirements as it pertain to COVID compliance This information needs to be communicated with us as follows:

1.   Written in a clear and concise way
2.  Given sufficient lead time to share with our team

When a job has safety requirements that go beyond our SOS: SAFETY ON SETS© protocols, the client will be responsible for providing them. If the client's set rules require a specific face mask or shield, they will be responsible for providing it or reimbursing SOS for acquiring it.

SOS SAFETY ON SETS© PROTOCOLS

SOS is prepared to work with our clients and follow their shoot safety guidelines in collaboration with our own protocols. We have established our own SOS safety & cleanliness protocols.

ANIMALS

  • + Animals will be bathed and/or groomed as appropriate before every shoot
  • + Animal accessories such as collars, leashes, tack, etc. will be cleaned prior to set
  • + Animal transportation &/or containment will be cleaned prior to set
  • + Animal bedding will be new, fresh or cleaned prior to set
  • + Tools, toys and cueing supplies will be new, fresh or cleaned prior to set

HANDLERS, WRANGLERS & TRAINERS

Human Handler Health Assessment
Our handlers, wranglers and trainers follow appropriate protocols including but not limited to:

a) Submitting to client/building/set safety requirements
b) Temperature readings (on arrival and throughout the shoot day as requested or required by client)
c) Wear appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
d) Hand washing and sanitizing
e) Completing COVID set questionnaires
f) Complying with COVID testing work requirements

We request all on-set trainers, wranglers and handlers to self-monitor themselves & their animals and follow SOS © protocols. This may include:

Personal assessment of human and animals well-being

ANIMAL CONTACT

+ No unnecessary or optional contact (petting, feeding, treating, playing, hugging, cuddling, photo ops, etc.) with general cast, client, and crew.

+ Limit contact with human talent only for prep, acclimation, rehearsal, & shooting.

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We will all do our best to stay current & assess new information. We will incorporate client input into our own SOS SAFETY ON SETS© Animal Talent & Handlers protocols. Here are some key industry sources:

AMPTP Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers

SAG/AFTRA Screen Actors Guild / American Federation of Television & Radio Artists

CDC Center of Disease Control & Prevention CDC.gov/covid19

Veterinarian sources

OSHA

SOS SAFETY ON SETS© SUPPLIES

We have purchased and acquired a stock of supplies including:

HAND SANITIZERS Pocket size for easy carry & quick access on set 70% alcohol based

HAND SANITIZING gels Purell and other brands, 70% alcohol based

FACE MASKS variety of types
Santa Fe Disposable, 3 layer paper (Medical grade)
Cloth masks (manufactured) as double layer of protection
Face mask alternative (washable & reusable)

GLOVES (Vulcan/Medicom brand: General Purpose)

ALCOHOL-BASED TRAVEL SIZE SPRAY BOTTLES

ALCOHOL-PREP PADS (mini size for small wipe downs/disinfecting)

DISINFECTING WIPES (grade: kills cold & Flu viruses)

INDUSTRY INPUT

At this point there has been limited animal-specific zoonotic communication by industry sources. That is why SOS Safety on Sets© has established their own SOS SAFETY ON SETS© guidelines for on set professional animal talent and handlers.

One of the first industry groups to directly address animals on set is Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

ALLIANCE of MOTION PICTURE and TELEVISION PRODUCERS

Proposed Health & Safety Guidelines for Motion Picture, Television & Streaming Productions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

'White paper' June 1, 2020
Animal Performers
There is presently no conclusive data to suggest that companion animals/pets such as dogs and cats serve as vectors for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans.
Animal handlers/trainers should receive training on COVID-19 prevention and should follow all rules regarding physical distancing and PPE.
Animals should not be handled by others except those necessary for shooting a scene (i.e., no petting, cuddling, feeding). All those involved in touching animals should perform hand hygiene before and after.
Other animals not involved in production such as personal pets should be kept off sets.

ANIMAL INFO & LINKS

The reality is that our professional Animal Handlers, Wranglers and Trainers have a higher risk of catching the COVID -19 virus from a human cast or crew member than vice versa. Of course, the reason why we are working together to put all these safety guidelines & protocols in place, is that no one wants to share the virus with anyone – knowingly or unknowingly.

This document has outlined how we, at SOS Safety on Sets© are conscientiously putting safety protocols in place for our professional animal talent and handlers in order to minimize risks while working on set.

Information and recommendations may change as our understanding of the virus and associated disease evolves, so be sure to check with us and/or monitor the shared sources in this newsletter regularly for new information.

RESOURCES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Here are just some of the sources and references that we continue to check. We offer &/or suggest you include these in your reading along with any other supplemental sources. We welcome input & feedback from you as well.

There are many resources and information will continue to evolve & change. We have listed a variety below including NY testing sites.

We will all do our best to stay current and assess this information, as well as incorporate it into our own SOS SAFETY ON SETS© animal & handlers protocols while working with clients in all forms of media.

AMPTP- Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers

SAG/AFTRA- Screen Actors Guild / American Federation of Television & Radio Artists

CDC- Center of Disease Control & Prevention
CDC.gov/covid19

VETERINARIAN SOURCES

OSHA

Jack Studios © HEALTH & SAFETY PLAYBOOK

New York Covid-19 Information Site
CLICK HERE

New York Covid-19 Online Screening
CLICK HERE

New York Covid-19 Testing Site Location
CLICK HERE

New York Covid-19 NY->FORWARD Reopening Guide
CLICK HERE

New York Covid-19 Regional Dashboard
CLICK HERE

ICP Workplace Guidelines
CLICK HERE

We welcome input & feedback from you!