Animal shelters in the Valley are asking people to adopt or foster animals during the quarantine. After urging people to care for animals, Humane Society of Harlingen went from 87 dogs and cats, to only 2 in a matter of 4 days.
The shelter’s Communications Coordinator, Sarah Cano explains that during a crisis, people tend to drop off more animals, with less people fostering and adopting.
In times of uncertainty, shelters, not just our shelter, shelters around the nation, experience increase intake. So, we have more people either dropping off dogs more strays coming in, and fewer people doing adoptions and fosters.
Cano says that although all the employees love working with animals, they are unable to take care of all of the animals from home. She explains why they are pushing more for foster care.
We decided that we wanted to try to get all the animals out, like I said via foster or adoptive homes. And we really did a big push for fosters because the way that we see it, a foster home although temporary its better that they are there than the shelter.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, there is no evidence that quote “companion animals, including pets can spread COVID-19.”
In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Humane Society of Harlingen is doing curbside pick-up. In which you fill out the paperwork from your car, and the employee brings you the furry companion.
To learn more about how to adopt or foster for an animal during this time visit Humane Society of Harlingen.org.
Reporter Samantha Garza
