Animal Shelters are Encouraging Pet Adoption During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Are you isolated during this current coronavirus pandemic?

Most of us are practicing social distancing during this time. In some states, the restrictions are not too extreme. However, in other states such as Oregon where I live, we have been mandated by our government leaders to stay home. Even though it will help stop the spread of the virus, I don’t even think I need to expand on the dangers this order will do to the mental and emotional well-being of many. In all fairness though, some people are finding this time with their children as a special moment to bond and slow down! I love seeing pictures on social media of families being creative and working together! But others are struggling with cabin fever, screaming kids, loss of jobs, or total isolation if they live alone.

My heart goes out to the people diagnosed with COVID-19 and their families. I hope and pray they recover. 

I am also very worried about the other victims of COVID-19. The victims forced to stay at home with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. I’m worried about the collapsing economy and what that will do to families. And I find it really unsettling when my personal freedoms are taken from me. Maybe it’s my born and bred American spirit but I’m struggling with it!

However, it’s also in my nature to look for the positive and hope for the best. And I don’t mind if I’m proven wrong. I truly and sincerely hope these mandates are for the best and that they will all be worth it in the end. I mean that!!  I’m still taking this seriously and I’m doing my part and following the guidelines to keep myself and others safe!! In the meantime, I want to offer my suggestions to those who are alone and struggling with severe anxiety and depression during this time. And since this is a pet blog, I’d like to discuss something that just might help with the isolation and also fulfill the need for pet fostering during this pandemic.

Animal Shelters are Encouraging People to Adopt and Shelter Pets During the Pandemic:

I’ve been very curious and worried about animals in shelters during this crisis. I’m happy to hear the shelters are still caring for animals. They are coming together and finding ways to care for the animals in a way that doesn’t create crowding and keeps the workers and volunteers safe.

How can you help?

Adopt or foster a pet right now! Kitty Block, the president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, and Temma Martin, a PR manager at the Best Friends Animal Society, told Business Insider that “fostering can save lives as shelters are falling on hard times during the pandemic.”

Block continued to say, “ ‘We’ve put the call out to our memberships to say if you can foster this is a great time to do it, as they need people to bring animals into their homes so the shelters don’t become overcrowded…
Especially when people become ill and can’t care for their animals, they’re ending up in the shelters.’ ”

The problem could create a worst-case scenario where shelters would have to close.
We can’t forget the animals in our communities that are in need!

If you are isolated at home, fostering a pet is a wonderful way to fight loneliness and improve your mental health. In the past, people have been hesitant to foster a dog or cat if they have to work outside the home. The general concern was the pet would not have enough human interaction. But now that most of us are in quarantine, it’s the perfect time to bring a pet into your home for a short period of time…or forever.

If you are alone and struggling with your mental health this is a wonderful solution. Pets get you up in the morning, they give you a purpose, and they definitely give you love and companionship. I don’t know what I would do without my pets at this time. My husband is a firefighter so he is still working which leaves me alone for many days. In fact, we laugh every day about how much my pets love quarantine. They have no problem with their mommy being home every day, all day and night!

How do I know the needs of my local shelter?

Go online to their website or Facebook page or call them directly. In Lincoln County Oregon, where I live, the Lincoln County Animal Shelter Facebook page posted an update yesterday stating they have been able to get every pet into foster care with the exception of two pets that they are keeping in their care right now. I am so relieved!!  Way to go Lincoln County residents!

See if your shelters or local governments have given any suggestions for pet care during the quarantine. I thought I’d copy and paste what Lincoln County Animal Shelter posted on Facebook as it is great advice for any pet owner during the coronavirus pandemic:

“The most important things you can do this week are:
1. Stay home
2. Walk your dog on a leash! No matter how good they are and how much fun they have, this is a very important time to limit lost dogs, dog bites, injuries, etc. These calls have gone way up and they put everyone at more risk.
3. Animal Services needs to focus on true emergencies–more guidance on what this means is coming–but we’re talking really an emergency (ie, not barking dogs)
4. Keep animals, including cats, safe inside. You can also use this time to create a catio for your kitty who likes outside time. Just google “catio” for thousands of amazing ideas.”

There are other ways to help:

If fostering an animal is still not an option, call your shelter and see if they need supplies or food or someone to walk the animals if there is overcrowding. Humanesociety.org is a great place to start. And as I said before, contact your local county and city animal shelters as well.

I’ve heard this many times, but I need to hear it again and again. We are all in this together. I sincerely hope you are all staying healthy, safe, and calm. I thought I’d end the article with a Facebook video post I made last week. I was trying to cheer some family and friends up by reminding them to always “look for the silver lining.”

So look for the silver lining folks and I’ll be in touch very soon!