Adoptions Continue At Montclair Animal Shelter Amid Coronavirus

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Township Animal Shelter may look different these days because of the coronavirus pandemic – but it’s all for good reason, staff say.

Earlier this week, Liz Morgan, the shelter’s director, shared a social media update about changes at the municipally run facility that have rolled out since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about adoption and fostering here.

Morgan wrote:

“I wanted to take a minute and explain our process. Normally, we're open to the public and you can walk through freely and meet and greet all the animals. We've had to change the process because of the pandemic. The goal is NOT to make adoption more taxing. The goal is to limit the staff's possible exposure to the virus. The folks who work at the shelter are trained, animal professionals. We know that anyone can mix a bowl of food but we have animals that are special needs medically and behaviorally. We're also animal control in town and are responsive and responsible to/for our community. It's paramount to the welfare of our animals and our community that we stay healthy.”

Morgan continued:

“So, in other words by the time we're setting up a meet and greet, you have completed the simple application, have been vetted, and are ready to rock and roll as an adopter or foster to adopt if appropriate. All animals are completely vetted, spayed/ neutered, heartworm and Lyme tested, microchipped, all age-appropriate vaccines, flea preventative, heartworm preventative.”

The shelter is using its outside courtyard as a coronavirus-compliant setting, Morgan said.

• See related article: George To The Rescue: Montclair Prepares For 'Clear The Shelters'

“We hope sharing [this] info was helpful in understanding why we have the process during these odd times,” Morgan concluded.

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