NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER - Amanda Fentiman holds five-month old Muse outside of APARC on Friday. Animal rescues are all dealing with tough times due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
While many businesses close down due to the COVID-19 pandemic and people choose to spend more time indoors, pet rescue organizations are making plans to keep their animals safe.
The Southern Alberta Humane Society has been operating for about a year and has stopped animal intake for the time being. Board member De Seaton says the group is in it for the long haul.
“We’re doing well – we’re surviving, but we have closed intake for now,” she said. “We’re full right now and we don’t have the incoming funds to keep taking more animals in.”
Seaton says adoptions are still open, but there is a new policy in place. Since foster families do not want families in and out of their space, just about everything will be done virtually.
“It’s always safety-first,” she said. “Everything right now is being done online – we’re sending as many pictures and videos to people who are interested in an animal. Our home checks are all done through Skype or Facetime.
“Right now we have 15 animals with our fosters.”
The Alberta Pound and Rescue Centre is working to keep employees safe and to have clear policy in place.
“We’re still figuring out how we will do adoptions, because the Page and Whisker is closed,” said chief operations officer Samuel Sandidge.
“Everything is so new right now, but we will set up visits for adoptions if possible.
“We are an essential service, so we can continue to operate, but we need everything to be safe for everyone.”
Sandidge added the pound is not accepting animals directly from the public anymore. It will still be working with bylaw with lost-and-found animals.
More information and updates can be found on APARC’s social media pages, as well as its website. People who want to directly support APARC can purchase books through the online Page and Whisker book store.
Persian Dreams and Canine Themes is working to keep its fosters safe during the pandemic.
“We kind of have foster homes and intake on hold,” said vice president Denise Devoe. “All of our animals are in foster homes and we don’t want to put fosters at risk.”
All three organizations said they would not be openly asking for money during the pandemic, because it didn’t feel right to do so.
Sandidge added that now is a great time to build a long-term bond with a pet.
“With self-isolation, a lot of people are staying home,” he said. “If it’s financially possible, now is a good time to bring a pet into a home.
“It’s good to spend a lot of time with a pet and really get to know them.”
The Medicine Hat SPCA is still operating but did not respond to the News’ interview requests.
The organization shared a post on its Facebook stating that it is open for adoptions and donations, but people need to call in to the shelter to make arrangements to view an animal.
