People are constantly complaining about how Coronavirus is negatively affecting them, but nobody talks about the condition of pets during this time. For most, the animals that were once lonely in a building for six-plus hours are thriving now, getting lots of attention from their humans that are home all of the time. The dog, cat, fish, or other pet that one used to leave during the day is currently over the moon with more daily walks, cuddles, and/or treats than ever before!

This is a great opportunity for people to engage more with their furry (or not) friends and give them all of the attention they deserve. From experience, I know that pets can be deprived of their much-needed love and care when things get super busy, so I’m trying to take extra advantage of this time! (see above)

On a separate note, animal shelters are being affected during this time as well. The Medfield Animal Shelter presently has 3 employees who have access to the building and take care of the animals (two full-time workers and one Sunday assistant) due to it mainly being run by volunteers who have now been asked to stay home. Many pets have been sent to foster homes (see left) and there are no longer open adoption hours. Adoption meetings, however, are still being held but are spaced out greatly so that there is time to disinfect in between. The number of family members at the meetings is additionally limited to comply with social-distancing and they now take place in the lobby where there is larger space. Everyone also must wear masks!

Marlene Simmons, the Shelter Manager at Medfield Animal Shelter, says, “The hardest part is that we have had to cancel our monthly low-cost spay/neuter clinic for the month of April”. This clinic is critical as it decreases the number of unwanted kitten litters each year. The number of litters born outside in potential danger will rise due to this service being closed, which is worrisome to members of the Medfield Shelter community. If you’d like to donate to the Medfield Animal Shelter, you can view a list of items they are in need of here.

As troubling as this time is, there is a little bit of positive in it as most of the pets in society are benefitting. Try to be grateful for your pet, put this time to good use, and if you don’t have a pet…maybe consider adopting?

Links

Medfield Animal Shelter: https://www.medfieldshelter.com

To donate: https://www.medfieldshelter.com/donate