Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Ontario SPCA Lennox and Addington had a successful first month of its new adoption protocols, finding homes for 43 furry critters.
“We’ve been open for limited contact adoptions for just over a month and we really wanted to thank everybody who has adopted with us over the past month, even with it only being a month we have adopted out 43 animals in that time,” said OSPCA Lennox and Addington branch manager Esther McCutcheon. “All of them have been spayed and neutered as well, except for a couple of the bunnies.”
Among the animals who found a new home in these challenging times was a cat named Drake, who was displaced in a house fire. A half dozen rabbits were also able to find new homes after their owner became ill and was no longer able to care for them.
“We really appreciate everyone’s support,” said McCutcheon. “Even with all of the craziness going on in life right now.”
The centre was forced to put a hold on adoptions for much of this year due to COVID-19. It wasn’t until the end of July that they were able to move forward with limited contact adoptions. That includes scheduling appointments to meet with an animal, which is done outside.
“We weren’t really sure what to expect,” McCutcheon said of what kind of success they might have with the new limitations. “Everybody’s doing new stuff right now and we weren’t really sure what to expect and hoped that the people in town looking for a new family member would see that we’re open for limited contact adoptions and come find a friend with us, and they did.”
Currently the Napanee centre still has a handful of cats and rabbits that are looking for a home. They’re expecting to have a few dogs available for adoption in the very near future as well.
“We are accepting animals on an emergency basis through our Urgent Animal Care Fund,” said McCutcheon. “We have been accepting animals through that, not exactly the same as usual but definitely still somewhere they can call when they need help.”
Along with finding new homes for animals, the OSPCA is also working hard to ensure current pet owners who might be experiencing financial struggles are still able to keep their beloved four-legged friends.
“If anyone is having trouble feeding their pets, they just need to give us a call and we’re happy to give them a little bit of help right now,” said McCutcheon, who says they work closely with an animal food bank in Deseronto. “Everyone’s very generous and what we have in abundance, we’re happy to help the community as well.”
For a list of animals looking for a new family or to contact the local animal shelter, visit OntarioSPCA.ca/LennoxAddington or call 613-354-2492.