Most of us are spending more time at home than we want to. But do you know who loves the new schedule? Dogs who need forever homes. The pandemic has led to an uptick in pet adoptions throughout the country. People have discovered that having a pet makes at-home time a lot more fun.
Local shelters have had to be creative during the pandemic because many volunteer programs have been on hold while the need for help and money hasn’t changed.
The Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, for example, received an emergency COVID-19 response grant from the Petfinder Foundation that paid for crates for families fostering dogs.
The shelter reopened in early July for walk-in clients. Here are the new guidelines for visitors as posted on their website cuyahogadogs.com
- The shelter has amended hours until further notice. The last clients to enter the building each day will be at 4 p.m. and we will not be showing dogs after 4 p.m. All clients will be asked to leave by 4:15 p.m. allowing us time to disinfect prior to closure for the day.
- Sunday – noon to 4 p.m.
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday – 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday – 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday – 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday – 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- All visitors must wear a mask for the entire time they are in the building
- All visitors are subject to a health screening which includes having your temperature taken and answer health questions.
- Visitors will be limited and no groups larger than four people can enter at one time.
- Any children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
- Follow all social distancing measures including directional signs in the main kennel, waiting in line to enter, and in the common areas
- Only visit if you are serious about adopting. You can view adoptable dogs on the shelter website.
- Visitors will be limited to viewing a maximum of two dogs per visit to the shelter.
- All adoptions are will remain first come, first serve
- Donations may be left against the building near the front doors. Workers will bring the items in.
- The use of credit cards is requested for payment when possible.
Check with your local shelter for special times and other COVID-19 accommodations.
