Bay Area pets, rescue groups suffer from virus shutdowns

This is an extraordinary time. Businesses closed, people facing financial hardships, people sick and many dying. No one is immune from COVID-19 or the changes it is making in our lives. And that includes pets and the people who care for them.

Forced to cancel or revamp regular adoption and fundraising events, rescue groups still are working to care for the pets. We can close our doors against the virus, but there’s no putting animal lives on hold.

Larger pet rescues are using cadres of volunteer foster families to care for shelter pets in their homes, arranging for oneon-one adoption appointments, and offering online programs to help train new foster families.

Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek is doing all those things but still trying to figure out the future.

“In accordance with the Contra Costa mandate, we have suspended all programs, except animal care, to protect our staff and volunteers and allow them to shelter in place,”

ARF Marketing Manager Erin Thompson says. “We are still determining our needs for the next few weeks — and realistically, months — as we keep in communication with our partner shelters about their needs. Overall, we’re just taking this unprecedented time one day at a time.”

Humane Society Silicon Valley was forced to cancel its fundraiser, Fur Ball 2020, but will continue with its online silent auction on March 28. It has scaled back and moved its animals into foster homes but needs more volunteers to step forward.

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, which specializes in finding homes for older dogs, has been doing one-onone adoption appointments, and all their animals are sheltered in private homes. More needs to be done, says Patty Stanton, public relations director and board member for Muttville. The dogs need to find permanent homes, she says, and a lot of people feeling the stress of COVID-19 fears and trying to work from home could benefit from the comfort and company of a pet.

Hit hardest, perhaps, are the smaller rescue groups operating on a shoestring that is getting shorter. Solano County Friends of Animals has had to postpone its annual Pasta for Purrs & Paws fundraising dinner that provides the majority of funding for its spay and neuter programs through the year.

“We are a small group, but we do a big job,” Ruby Waderach says. “We have no paid staff and no paid facility. This is all a big hit for SCFOA.”

So, how can we help? The first answer is the obvious one — donations, either with money or with your time. If you can foster a pet, contact a private or public shelter near you and volunteer. Have a few dollars to spare? Put them where they’ll do the most good.

We’ve already seen some amazing stories. When Oakland Animal Services had to close to the public, it put out an emergency call to find fosters. In just three hours, all available cats, dogs and rabbits found temporary homes.

Perhaps most important, adopt a pet. Most groups have pets on their websites and will set up private appointments so you can meet them. Don’t make them wait.