Animal Shelters and Coronavirus

When corona hit the US, many shelters realized they couldn't keep the animals in the shelter without risking their health and the health of their employees. Desperate, they reached out to people in hopes of finding fosters. This has sparked a massive increase in the amount of animals in foster, an increase of 70% from last years numbers.

Another impact the virus has had on shelters is that they are unable to complete in-person adoptions and many have resorted to online adoptions with only necessary socialization before the adoptions are complete. While this may be seen as a positive outcome, there is a downside. Many veterinary hospitals and clinics can't perform elective surgeries or procedures which means animals can only get their vaccinations but can't get spayed or neutered. This means that there is most likely going to be a surge in unwanted litters, stray animals and a struggle to find homes or temporary homes for the animals born in this time.

During this time, shelters are also preparing for a massive intake of animals when the virus restrictions are eventually lifted as people will realize they cannot care for an animal once they're no longer sheltered in place and home all the time. However, many shelters, such as Pets in Need in Palo Alto, are taking extra measures to prevent this from happening by using extensive applications, surveys and communication between potential adopters, shelter staff, and the animal's foster family.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/11/coronavirus-increased-pet-adoptions-now-rescuers-face-new-challenges.html