TAMPA, Fla. — Animals at ZooTampa are the latest group to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Roughly 30 animals have received the special vaccine so far, which was developed specifically for mammals by the veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis.

In all, the zoo plans to vaccine 93 animals from roughly 19 species.

“Nobody makes drugs or vaccines just for our species,” explained Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, Senior VP of Animal Health. “We look at all the different animal and human options and pull for our animals, so this isn’t something unusual, we do it all the time,” she explained.

Species such as Florida panthers, skunks, otters, cats and primates are on the top of the vaccination list.

While there have been no COVID-19 cases in animals at ZooTampa, certain species can contract the virus from humans.

Zoetis, the company that manufactures the vaccine, donated 220 doses to ZooTampa to help protect their animals.

Stringfield says its possible that this vaccine, or a similar type, could be used for household pets in the future.

“It would probably be for the cat more than for the dog, it looks like cats are more susceptible,” she said. “I know Zoetis is working on that separately but certainly the data we get in our non-domestic cats will be helpful in figuring out domestic cats as well.”