The facility has been closed for weeks amid COVID-19, but Executive Director Bruce Roney says they’re moving some services online while complying with physical distancing rules on site.
May 1, 2020: Mike Vlasveld OttawaMatters.com
Cat in blanket looking out the window. Photo/Shutterstock
Residents will soon be able to adopt a pet from the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) again.
Starting Tuesday, May 5, Executive Director Bruce Roney says they will start contacting prospective adopters on their waiting list and then people will start to see new animals available for adoption online.
The number of animals at the shelter is currently pretty low due to COVID-19. Roney explains the OHS has only been taking in the most distressed of animal cases since the pandemic hit.
Many of their adoptable animals have been in the care of foster parents, as the shelter says it wanted to keep room in case of animal emergencies during COVID-19.
Roney says the OHS currently has 160 cats and a handful of dogs up for adoption, which is actually low for them, but he’s definitely seeing the demand for adopting with so many people spending more time at home lately.
The executive director thinks the pandemic can be a good time to adopt, but his advice for prospective pet owners is the same as it was pre-COVID-19: You have to have time to invest in an animal, you still need to have done your research, and have selected a pet that fits your lifestyle and expectations.
Roney says the OHS is re-opening adoptions in a safe manner, respecting physical distancing rules, and most of the paperwork is moving online.
If there’s been any silver lining to the pandemic for the OHS, Roney says he’s seeing the benefit to getting more of their animals into foster care before being adopted out. It saves the OHS space and makes for better quality of life for the animals. He thinks it could be part of the “new normal” after COVID-19 passes.