National Puppy Day: Charlotte shelters need foster parents for COVID social distancing
Concern about the coronavirus has created a social media whirlwind about people turning over animals to shelters, and officials at Mecklenburg County Animal Care & Control said they have an urgent need for foster families — as long as they’re feeling well.
“During declared states of emergencies, it’s not surprising or uncommon for adoption numbers to decline,” public information specialist Melissa Knicely with Animal Care & Control said. “In order to ensure that no shelter pet lives are lost, AC&C needs to expand the current foster base by 100 additional foster homes.”
The ideal foster assignment would be a four- to six week-long commitment.
Knicely said the department is also looking to add foster families in case staff is unable to come in due to quarantines or illness, leaving them to work with a limited crew.
“Many willing fosters are saying they are working from home, so they have time to do an extended foster,” Knicely said.
Win-win for all
“It was an amazing experience,” said Charlotte resident Kim Jung, who fostered two black Labrador puppies from the Charlotte Humane Society for 10 days.
Toby and Luna were not ready yet to be adopted, so the Humane Society needed some help.
“It was a lot of work. They were puppies,” Jung said. “They were happy to see me at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., but they were very sweet. It brought so much levity this past week. The puppies were so happy to see you. It made a lot of people smile.”
The puppies were a big hit with the family and the neighbors who came over to play with them. After a week and a half of some sleepless nights, the Jungs turned the dogs back over to the Humane Society to meet their new owners.
“It wasn’t that hard because they were going to a great home, but we did get attached,” Jung said.
The Jungs said they will foster again.
Answering the call for help
As of Friday morning, AC&C had 180 animals in foster homes and 160 animals currently in the shelter. “The public has stepped up and come to help,” Knicely said. Over the weekend — after this story was first published — 23 animals were adopted, and 60 went out to foster homes or staycations with families, Knicely said Monday.
There are a number of ways you can volunteer to help — just visit the AC&C website to find out more.
AC&C remains open for routine business, which includes looking for a lost pet, reclaiming a pet and animal adoptions. Its normal schedule is Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Owner surrenders are accepted by appointment only by calling the owner surrender line at 704-336-3799 to schedule an appointment. The Humane Society of Charlotte also offers animal adoptions by appointment only.
If you’re feeling sick
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention insists pets might not get the coronavirus but that their sick humans should stay a safe distance away.
“You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people,” the CDC wrote on its website. “Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.”
The CDC maintains that there have been no reports of pets getting sick with COVID-19.
“To date, there is no evidence that companion animals can spread the disease,” the organization added on its website. “Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.”
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 9:00 AM.
