SPCA Sees Pandemic Spike In Adopters, Fosterers

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — The SPCA of Westchester has been overwhelmed with gratitude over all the people who've adopted or started fostering a pet.

"I don’t think anyone anticipated when Covid-19 first hit that a result of it would be an outpouring of fosters and adopters," Lisa Bonanno told Patch. "We are incredibly fortunate that we had so many people and families reaching out to help the animals."

Officials at the shelter on North State Road are being very careful to make sure anyone who adopts is properly set up to care of their new dog or cat once they return to work. "That was obviously a big concern for us, that when things get back to 'normal' we’d see a spike in returns," Bonanno said.

Springtime is kitten season, so it’s a crucial time of year to have as many fosterers on hand to help as possible. For the first time ever, the SPCA has a waiting list.

"We’ve had so many success stories over the last 2 months and have recently experienced days where we looked down a row of dog runs to see them all empty, which is an amazing feeling. And for every animal adopted it means we have room to rescue another," she said.

A black and white cat, Domino was also fortunate enough to find his forever home during quarantine. He had been at the shelter for nearly a year.

There are three little kittens now being fostered who were found in a moving truck after an interstate trip.

"We received a call at the SPCA last week from a woman who just moved to Briarcliff from North Carolina. As they unloaded the moving truck three tiny, scared kittens were hunkered down in the back between boxes," Bonanno said. "Although we aren’t totally sure how this happened it appears these babies made the trip all the way up north in the back of the truck, unbeknownst to everyone. They were very hungry and dehydrated so she rushed them into our clinic. Luckily these little ones are strong and as you can see here are getting lots of love in their new foster home! They’ll hopefully be ready in a few weeks to find their forever families. When you’re a part of the animal rescue world you truly never know what each day will bring!"