very quickly ,” says Brown . “ We are always ecstatic to hear stories of adopted pets who had spent a long time at the shelter , or pets with special needs , or mother dogs and cats of litters who have found their forever families .”
Both shelters have had to overcome the weighty challenges of operating in the midst of a pandemic . Animal shelters are considered essential and therefore are permitted to stay open ; however , with mandatory restrictions in place , the shelters had to take a hard look at which programs would need to be temporarily suspended to keep staff and potential adopters safe .
For instance , between a lack of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and government restrictions in place , Animal Friends found it necessary to close its public clinic and halt all in-person appointments , including its low-cost spay and neuter surgeries .
“ We knew that there were still many owners out there struggling with health issues with their pets . So , with the expertise of our lead veterinarian , we began to offer free telemedicine appointments to help provide guidance and direction to worried pet owners ,” explains Beaver . “ Not only were lives supported , but many were also literally saved due to her compassion and commitment .”
To comply with social distancing mandates , adoptions at both shelters had to move to appointment-only , but all the changes have had no effect on demand . More than 1,100 animals have been adopted through Animal Friends since March .
“ People are home right now and see a great opportunity to welcome a new family member into their household ,” says Beaver . “ I commend our adoption team for the work they have done to continue to find great homes for our residents .”
The Humane Society also has seen a steady demand for pet adoptions , despite the pandemic .
“ Adopters in quarantine have found that they have more time to give to a homeless pet , therefore keeping our adoptions successful , which also makes space at the shelter for more homeless pets ,” says Shoup .
The pandemic has also required the shelters to rethink the methods they use to offer services to the public .
“ As the pandemic grew and we watched lines of cars snake through parking lots for food donations , we were certain of one thing — if people were hungry , so were their pets ,” notes Beaver . In April , Animal Friends hosted its first drive-through pet food distribution and provided food for more than 700 hungry pets . It then partnered with other social service organizations to provide much-needed pet food to individuals in neighborhoods struggling the most . Since the pandemic began in March , Animal Friends has distributed nearly 200,000 pounds of free pet food to pet owners in need .
Volunteer Julie Galli with Animal Friends
“ At Animal Friends , we know that a shelter should be the last resort for a pet in crisis . We are committed — especially now — to continue to provide the basic resources necessary to keep beloved pets in their homes , right where they belong ,” says Beaver .
Both shelters require prospective adopters to complete an online or phone application before meeting with any pets . Once the application is approved , adopters will be contacted by an adoption counselor to set up an appointment to meet with a pet . The shelters take an individualized approach to matching pets with their forever families .
“ Normally , an adoption can happen in just a few hours . However , during these COVID times , and the need for prescheduled adoption appointments , an adoption will likely take a couple of days ,” explains Beaver . “ Additionally , some of our animal residents prefer to meet an adopter a few times before going home , while others find love at first sight and are on their way out the door in no time .”
In addition , the Humane Society encourages potential adopters to research adoptable pets before applying .
“ We strongly encourage any potential adopters to research breed and age requirements of adoptable pets , and consider the cost of veterinary care , training and the time required to housebreak and train adoptable pets , especially young pets ,” says Brown . “ Adoption counselors strive to match potential adopters with pets that will fit their individual lifestyles .”
To keep employees safe and maintain social distancing requirements , both shelters have placed volunteer opportunities on hold for the time being . They are hoping to welcome new volunteers sometime this year .
In light of the challenges presented by the pandemic , these organizations are grateful for the community ’ s support . With fundraising events canceled due to restrictions on gatherings , financial donations and pet supply donations are greatly appreciated . Anyone interested in adopting or donating to either organization can find information on their respective websites : thinkingoutsidethecage . org ( Animal Friends ) and hswcgbg . petfinder . com ( Humane Society of Westmoreland County ). ■
PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 45