Restaurants, businesses, schools, malls and movie theaters were left empty due to COVID-19. But it also disburdened animal shelters across North Texas, with dogs, cats, hamsters, birds and turtles finding forever homes with new owners and temporary stays with foster parents. Even though shelters are faring much better than usual, advocates want people to remember that there are always opportunities to help animals in need, whether you adopt, foster or contribute in other small ways.
Animals In Need
On March 19, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a public health disaster due to COVID-19 and shut down non-essential businesses as listed under his government website. These included bars, gyms, hair and nail salons and animal shelters.
“Obviously, not all businesses can open all at once,” Abbott said at a previous news conference. “A more strategic approach is required to ensure that we don’t reopen, only to have to close down again.”
But hundreds of animals were still housed in shelters when the governor issued his executive order. They needed homes where they could be taken care of, so organizations pivoted to see how they could quickly place its animals into as many houses as possible.
Finding Forever Homes
In March, the Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) waived all adoption fees at its seven locations across North Texas. Director of communications Cassie Davidson says eliminating fees made a huge difference.
“Since March 19, we’ve had 709 adoptions,” Cassie said at the beginning of May. “We typically have over 1,000 pets in our care. Now we have less than 100 available for adoption.”
Other organizations like Fort Worth Animal Care and Control moved their applications online for an expedited adoption process.
“Animal welfare organizations facilitate adoptions at their own facilities when possible and are often using virtual adoption and fostering events to continue to find loving homes for pets in need,” says Yosha Brunson, PetSmart senior public relations manager.
Fostering Animal Care
But even if families were not able to commit to becoming a forever home, they had other opportunities to lend a helping hand. After the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control moved its foster applications online, 525 animals left its shelter within the first week, including 205 fostered animals. HSNT saw similar success when it put its emergency foster applications online.
“As of May 4, we have 633 pets in foster, including 449 emergency fosters,” Cassie says.
Because fostering offers temporary residence, shelters are still actively at work to ensure all their animals will be matched with their forever homes. To help shelters, locals can either adopt an animal or donate money, pet supplies or food to their closest facility.