Pet adoptions are up amid crisis

Veterinary offices to open; humans to remain in parking lot

Animal shelters and humane agencies have been busy during the COVID-19 outbreak -- seeing more animal adoptions, but also seeing more calls for abandoned animals.

Jane MacMurchy, coordinator of the Animal Charity Humane Society in Boardman, said since the pandemic started in March, the agency has seen an increase in animal fostering.

She said the two locations -- the clinic in Boardman where the cats are, and the other in Canfield that houses dogs -- have had more calls from people wanting to adopt a pet.

"More people are at home … people interested in adopting," MacMurchy said.

She said the clinic has been closed since March 19 with no elective surgeries. That will change in the upcoming weeks with Gov. Mike DeWine's order allowing for veterinary surgeries to begin.

Starting Tuesday, people will be able to come to the parking lot to pick up medication refills for pets, or have animals vaccinated.

"Only the animals get out of the car and are taken into the building. We have people stay in their cars and we will bring their pets back to them," MacMurchy explained.

She said after several staff were laid off at both locations, much of the crew will be back on Tuesday to help with curbside medicine and vaccinations.

"We had few staff at the Boardman clinic and the Canfield kennel. It will be good to have people come back with the more situations we have had to deal with,'' MacMurchy said.

MacMurchy said what is unfortunate during this pandemic are the calls for abandoned animals and other sad situations.

"We did have situations where animals were being left and dumped off at places. Someone left a small dog in a crate on the side of the road, and someone left a cat in a box at Mill Creek Park," MacMurchy said.

In addition to the abandonment calls, she said there have been calls of people who had died from COVID-19 or had to be taken to the hospital or nursing home -- and pets that had no one to take care of them.

"We had some people who passed away who we had to try and find homes for their pets. There is more sadness than we have ever seen before," MacMurchy said.

Also, the limited staff took pet food to people's homes who were unable to get out. She said pet food and monetary donations are needed.

PARKING LOTS

MacMurchy said as for adoptions, people must make arrangements ahead of time by filling out an application online at animalcharityofohio.org or email acoadoption@gmail.com.

"All adoptions take place in the parking lot. When people come to get animals we ask that they have masks and gloves," she noted.

The Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County also has been busy with kitten season starting.

Lori Shandor, CEO for the league, said while the shelter is closed to the public, adoptions have been held by appointment.

"Adoptions have been up a little in the past month. We have more kittens needing homes. There are also puppies, but more kittens at this time," Shandor said, noting adoption prices have been lowered.

She said photos and information on pets are on the league's web page. People can fill out an application on the website or call 330-539-5300 for an appointment for adopting.

"The adoption process can all be handled in one day. People are asked to stay in their cars and we make arrangements to get the animal they want," she said.

Shandor said the AWL has been fortunate not to see an increase in animal neglect cases over the past months.

"I am not sure exactly why but more people are at home, and they're with their pets, taking care of them. It may change when more and more people go back to work and people start getting out more and not being at home as much. People will be adapting to the new normal in life and we want them to be taking care of their pets," she said.

Shandor said people who need pet food have been able to get it from the league's food pantry. People needing food for pets need to have a time set up for food pickup.

"We will help provide food for up to three pets per household,'' Shandor said.

The league works with a local veterinarian, but spay and neuter surgeries were suspended during the pandemic. Shandor said in a few weeks surgeries may resume.

The league has seen a decrease in donations -- possibly because fewer people are working or they're not sure how to make a donation without leaving their homes.

Shandor said people who want to make a donation can call ahead of time to set up a time to drop off items.

DONATIONS

The league received a large food donation from the Cleveland Animal Protective League and its partnership with Greater Good. The league received two pallets of dog and cat food as well as other pet necessities to be distributed through its pantry.

Shandor said the AWL has expanded its pantry to help any Mahoning Valley residents. Since expanding the pet food pantry in mid-March, AWL has helped more than 30 families to keep food in their pets' bowls.

The Trumbull County Dog Warden also has seen an increase in calls for dog adoptions.

Barbara Rodgers with the warden's office said while it has been closed to the public, there are calls from people wanting to adopt dogs.

"I have had several calls from people wanting to adopt -- even calls from people in Pennsylvania. One woman from Pittsburgh said for some reason there are less dogs to adopt where she lives so she checked in eastern Ohio," she said.

The agency has 14 dogs and the kennel is full.

Rodgers said to be safe and protect everyone people need to fill out an adoption application online. When everything is approved then those who want a dog can come to the Howland location with adoption taking place in the parking lot.

Angels for Animals in Canfield also has been busy during the pandemic with people also required to schedule an appointment to see the animals.

A spokeswoman said the shelter has taken steps to keep visitors safe when they come to look at the animals. Angels, like other agencies, is preparing for the increase in animals that usually happens in the spring.

bcoupland@tribtoday,com