US: Coronavirus pandemic leads to a surge in animal adoptions, fostering

Problems with supply and demand during coronavirus pandemic have led to shorts t only of items such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper, but in many places, also in pets available for adoption.

Sarah Brasky, founder and executive director of Foster Dogs Inc., a New York-based nprofit that helps dogs get out of shelters and into foster homes for ir safety, said demand for dogs from her organization is at an all time high.

“Shelter dogs are really winning in this entire coronavirus experience,” she said. “It’s a strange phemen because re was always interest in fostering and rescue but w it is exploding.”

Last year at this time, her organization had applications from about 140 people per month. That has risen to about 3,000, Brasky said.

Muddy Paws Rescue, ar New York nprofit, reported shelters y work with are eir all out of or almost out of cats and dogs after applications surged as much as 10-fold in past two weeks.

Emily Lowe adopted two dogs from Muddy Paws after her roommate moved out of New York City because of concerns over COVID-19.

“This is a time in my life when I have resources to give a little extra care and love to a rescue,” she said.

But those cs are t empty just because on an increase in demand, said Kitty Block, chief executive director of Humane Society of United States

An initial surge nationally in adoptions during pandemic has leveled off, as coronavirus-related restrictions have led to shelters taking in only most at-risk animals.

National statistics show adoptions actually are down from a year ago, she said.

“Many shelters and rescues have suspended ability for public to casually visit shelter in order to reduce potential spread of COVID-19 to staff and have transitioned almost solely to placement of animals into foster homes,” she said. “Maintaining a low shelter population is necessary to prepare for a potential decrease in shelter staff as COVID-19 cases increase, leaving fewer people to care for animals. ”

James Bias, executive director of Connecticut Humane Society, said y also are unable to do elective surgeries, including spaying and neutering, in an effort to preserve personal protective equipment, much of which has been donated to health care providers for humans, he said.

He said right w groups are relying on public to take care of lost dogs and help neighbors care for pets if y’ve been impacted by coronavirus.

But re is a concern that as pandemic wanes re will be a corresponding rise in surrendered pets.

Block said shelters are bracing for a potential increase in intakes and owner surrenders due to widespread human illness and financial strain coronavirus has caused, especially among low-w pet owners.

“Since we have so many people staying at home, fostering right w also is a lot easier,” Bias said. “When people start going back to work, re may t be as many available foster homes.”