Table 3.

Advice for living with pets during future pandemic themes and sub-themes with counts.

Themes and sub-themes	Count	Example quotations
1 Supplies stocked	29	“Always be prepared with enough food and supplies to care for any animals you are responsible for.”
2 Pets' health and well-being	21	“Keep pets clean and healthy. They depend on you.”
2.1 Make plans	18	“Make sure you have a plan in place in the event you get sick for your pets.”
2.1.1 Veterinarian information	5	“…know your veterinarian's policies during pandemics.”
2.2 Treat pets like family members	9	“I would treat them the same as a human family member if they got sick.”
2.3 Do not abandon pets	7	“Do not give your pet up unless you absolutely need to. Your pet would rather stay with you and share your illness than sit in a shelter not knowing why they were sent away.”
3 Human health and wellbeing	20	“The emotional support from pets make them invaluable during something as stressful as a long-term pandemic.”
3.1 Stay calm	4	“Just stay calm and love your pets.”
3.2 Enjoy	16	“Have fun with your pet…it will help you both.”
4 Be careful of transmission	8	“Wash your hands, wear the mask and gloves. Keep yourself healthy. If not for your sake then do it for them. They depend on you.”
5 Keep routine	3	“Keep to normal routine as much as possible.”
6 Seek community resources	2	“Not to be afraid to reach out if you are in need of food–there are a couple food banks in my community of which I support…don't risk losing your pet.”
7 Finances	2	“Set aside money for their care.”

Themes and sub-themes were not mutually exclusive.