This may be best time to adopt a dog

By KAREN KALUNIAN
Posted 3/26/20

Desperate times call for desperate measures, even when it comes to animals in need of loving homes. The uncertainty over the coronavirus has hit many businesses including our animal shelters Many are closing down on a temporary basis

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This may be best time to adopt a dog

Posted

Desperate times call for desperate measures, even when it comes to animals in need of loving homes. The uncertainty over the coronavirus has hit many businesses including our animal shelters

Many are closing down on a temporary basis and are in need of foster homes and adopters. The timing for this ironically couldn't be better as many folks are working from home which gives them an opportunity to share that time with a new furry friend.

If you are not in the position to adopt, fostering seems to be the way to go right now and most shelters give you all of the supplies you need to care for the pet. Each individual shelter or rescue has its own policy right now as it pertains to the current pandemic because they are also trying to do the best to protect their staff and their animals.

The Warwick Animal Shelter is continuing adoptions but is asking you to contact them via phone at 401-468-4377 or email animal.shelter@warwickri.com to set up an appointment. This will help with controlling the foot traffic in and out of the shelter. According to Deb Niosi from the Warwick Animal Shelter, “All of our adoptable animals are listed on Petfinder.com and you can view them there. You can also send a message through Petfinder and we will respond to you.”

They do not need fosters at this time as they will remain operational and animal control is still available if you should need assistance.

RISPCA sent out a notice saying that all of their adoption fees are half off in an effort to help get the remaining animals in their care adopted into loving forever homes. While the Rhode Island SPCA shelter has been closed to the general public, there are still animals in our facility that require daily care said Rhode Island SPCA President Joe Warzycha.

”My staff has been working diligently to find both permanent and/or temporary homes for these animals, in an effort to clear the shelter,” he said. “Clearing the shelter would temporarily relieve my animal care staff from their daily duties and allow for more social distancing. The Rhode Island SPCA is making every effort to be socially responsible during these difficult times.”

Adoptions are being held by appointment only. For more information, contact www.rispca.com, 401-438-8150, adoptions@rispca.com or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.

Other shelters making changes are EGAPL The Heart of RI located in Cranston, they shut down temporarily on Saturday and were fortunate to find foster homes for all of their animals. EGAPL is asking folks to visit their Facebook page for updates as to when they will reopen and you can also visit www.heartofri.org to see their adoptable animals. Pawswatch at the Community Cat Care Center in Johnston is remaining operational as well but you must make appointment. To reach Pawswatch you can email communitycatcarecenter@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page. They are still in need of a few foster homes for their cats and they are still accepting adoption applications.

Those who can't foster or adopt but are an animal lover and in a position to make a monetary donation many shelters can use it now more than ever. With shelter closures throughout the state many shelter workers are being laid off, adoptions are slowed or not happening at all but their bills/expenses continue to accrue.

Also, rescuing animals or being able to do animal intake has come to a halt for many shelters and rescues meaning more animals are being put in danger. Reaching out to your local animal shelter to see what their current needs are is the best way to help, check your local listings for a shelter near you.

UPSIDE DOWN WORLD: Maybe it seems like everything is upside down these days although Bryden Flanagan, the son of Brittany and Kyle Flanagan thought nothing of it when a photographer visited to get a photo of the family’s newly adopted puppy, Ruca. (Warwick Beacon photos) RIGHT SIDE UP: Bryden Flanagan and the family’s newly adopted puppy, Ruca, at their home in Warwick.

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