Pet adoption & fostering thrives through coronavirus struggles

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Although coronavirus has separated us from friends and family, it’s brought more people closer to our furry friends than ever before, according to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County.

Its shelter reportedly has only a few dozen cats and dogs left to be adopted as of Friday.

Outreach Coordinator Bailey Williams said it is a happy problem to have.

“Adoptions have been amazing and there are a lot more people interested in fostering,” Williams said.
“We actually had to stop taking on more dog fostering because we don’t have enough dogs for all the people who want to foster right now.”

The Humane Society also announced an expansion of its pet food assistance program, which pet owner within the county facing hard times can apply for to pick up cat or dog food - all for free.

It also welcomes donations of chow and pet straw to make sure no owner feels a burden of keeping a pet if they can’t afford other things.

“Anybody who (is) having a hard time with the coronavirus going on, they can certainly give us a call and we are providing a bag of food per species per household,” Williams said.

Williams also told ABC 57 the shelter can’t perform any elective spaying or neutering due to a need to conserve resources, but added all its pets who haven’t been fixed can still be fostered for half the cost.