Before revision: The devastating impact of the COVID19 pandemic caused by SARS coronavirus 2 ( SARSCoV2 ) has raised important questions on the origins of this virus, the mechanisms of any zoonotic transfer from exotic animals to humans, whether companion animals or those used for commercial purposes can act as reservoirs for infection, and the reasons for the large variations in  susceptibilities across animal species.
After revision: The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS coronavirus 2 ( SARSCoV2 ) has raised important questions on the origins of this virus, the mechanisms of any zoonotic transfer from exotic animals to humans, whether companion animals or those used for commercial purposes can act as reservoirs for infection, and the reasons for the large variations in susceptibilities across animal species.