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Humane Society seeing spike in adoptions despite closed doors

The Humane Society has seen lots of animals adopted since the self-isolation measures set in, as residents have more time to commit to adding a furry friend to their household
HS princess
Princess is just one of the adoptable cats left at the Humane Society, waiting for her forever family to join the adoption blitz the shelter has seen in the last few weeks. (supplied)

Although the Humane Society closed it’s doors to public traffic on March 17, the shelter has still seen a heartwarming increase in animals leaving the shelter and being adopted to loving homes.

Executive director Dana Haukaas said that since the closure and the suspension of volunteer activities three weeks ago, the shelter has seen 36 animals adopted out new families.

“We definitely saw a little spike,” said Haukaas. “We've actually had quite a few people reach out to us to offer to foster [as well].”

Because of this increase in adoptions, the shelter currently has no dogs available to adopt, and only 28 adoptable cats left. 

“We kind of say every day that we're so surprised that even though we are closed, it still feels like we're open,” said Haukaas. “The upside of [the reduced traffic] is that we are seeing a lot of cats and dogs going to what we hope is their forever home.”

Haukaas couldn’t say whether the increased interest in adopting a new pet may have something to do with so many families being at home right now, but she did agree that now is a great time to adopt because people likely have more time to help their new pet settle into the home.

“People are spending a lot more time at home. There's no sports to run your kids to, there's no school events, there's just a lot of family time,” said Haukaas. “And that is a great time to consider adding a little furry friend to your family.”

She also emphasizes that it's important to be sure of the decision to adopt right now, as bringing an animal back to the shelter is always a sad occasion for all. 

“We really have tried to do our due diligence on our end and make sure that we're asking the important questions to make sure that people are adopting this pet with the intent of giving it their forever home, not just while they're home during the COVID isolation,” said Haukaas. “It is hard on a pet to go home and then come back.”

The Humane Society remains open to adoptions by appointment and all their available animals can be viewed on their website, which is updated daily, and their Facebook page, which is updated weekly. 

Haukaas encourages people to keep an eye on both those sources for new animals, as the shelter is expecting a litter of puppies from another shelter in the next few weeks as well as some more cats to join the adoptable ranks. 

“We also have 17 mama cats and babies in foster care and those will coming back to the shelter during the next four to eight weeks,” said Haukaas.

She also encourages people to consider supporting the shelter, as animals in need are still entering their care and requiring medical care despite the decrease iin traffic elsewhere in the building.

“Any financial support from the community is greatly appreciated because those funds do go directly to help all of the animals in our care,” said Haukaas.  

The Humane Society is hosting an online lottery, where participants can win up to $12,000. Tickets can be purchased by giving the shelter a call at 1 (306) 692-1517.

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