While the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are seen on a large economic scale, you can also observe them in the local communities. And one of those effects is taking place in shelters and rescues.
Pet shelters are experiencing problems now. A lot of dogs and cats face possible euthanization. Shelters had to make a sad decision due to lacking resources, space, and manpower.
The future, however, does not have to be that bleak. A rescue based in the suburban area of Washington D.C., has come up with a way to address such a problem. Lost Dog and Cat, which is powered by good-hearted volunteers, received an unprecedented number of requests to adopt or foster pets.
The metro area seems to be ready for it. It is home to more than 364,000 federal workers, many of whom are already working from home.
The power of volunteerism
Founded in 2001, Lost Dog and Cat has nearly 300 active members. The members of the rescue have been driving to different counties in the southern states to pick dogs from kill shelters. They will then vaccinate the dogs, crate, and transfer them to the north.
Pam McAlwee, one of the co-founders of the rescue, said they could never have imagined a surge in foster and adoptions applications like what they saw since the outbreak. Now, the shelter welcomes new groups of pets at least once a week.
Almost all dogs are reserved for new homes even before they are put to the kennels. This is made possible by the rescue’s matching team.
More dogs are being adopted
According to Pam, the rescue was adopting out 60 to 70 pups per week. They even had to get a bigger whiteboard because the whiteboard they were currently using to write their adoptions on was already too small.
And the benefits of adopting pets stood out, too! Pam shared that one family told her that the new dog they had adopted was teaching kids about nurturing, responsibility, and unconditional love.
Image Source: Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation via Facebook
