DAYTON ANIMAL SHELTERS ASK FOR HELP IN PANDEMIC
Montgomery County Animal Resource Center, Humane Society need people to foster pets.
As the pandemic continues, Montgomery County Animal Resource Center and Humane Society of Greater Dayton shelters need people to help foster animals as they await adoptions.
Fostering has benefits for both the animals and the participants, said Mike Zimmerman, Animal Resource Center’s Public Information officer. It is a great option for those interested in taking in a pet, without the long-term commitment, he said.
A heavily populated shelter induces stress in dogs, leading to higher cortisone levels and a possible change in the animals’ behavior, he said. Fostering programs are a way to avoid this while helping dogs assimilate to a home environment.
“Imagine if you were in a cinderblock building with 100 other screaming humans,” Zimmerman said.
Those interested in fostering
must submit an online application and once approved, will receive training.
At the Humane Society, adoption rates are normal compared to previous years, except for March and April when the shelter was closed.
“The rateswerenot as high as last year since therewas a pace issue,” CEOofHumane Society Brian Weltge said. “The flow of dogs coming in and coming out was in disparity.”
The Humane Society depends on nearby events for increasing animal outtake, such as PetSmart adoption events.
“Adoptions at PetSmart have been shut down, which slows down the process,” Weltge said.
Similarly, at the Animal Resource Center, a decrease in adoption rates took place during the early days of the pandemic. Now, some level of normalcy has been achieved.
Both shelters have had to cut staff due to the decrease in workhours tocorrespondwith new safety guidelines. Volunteering has been halted until further notice but applications are being accepted through each of the shelters’ websites andvirtual training is available.
The goal of both shelters is to reduce the number of people inside the building.
Animalsavailable for adoption are pictured on each of the shelters’websites. Apersonmust make an appointment to come into the shelter. Nowalk-in appointments are allowed.