While staying home for coronavirus, more people welcoming in dogs, cats in Larimer County

Whether it's the need for companionship, a desperate desire to spread some love during unprecedented times, or simply a matter of having more time on our hands, Northern Colorado residents are opening their homes and hearts to homeless dogs and cats at unprecedented rates. 

In the past two weeks, shelters and rescue groups, including Bounce and Animal Friends Alliance have seen dramatic spikes in adoption and foster applications.

As adoptions soar, fewer pets are being surrendered to the Larimer Humane Society, said Tylor Starr, marketing and community outreach program manager. While they've shut down adoptions through April 17 because of the stay-at-home order, the humane society is still providing lost-and-found, urgent owner surrender and end-of-life services to alleviate animal suffering, he said.

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Between March 18 and 25, the humane society adopted out 83 animals, a 28% increase, and witnessed a 41% decrease in surrenders compared with the same time last year. 

"We have been touched by the numerous offers to help from across our community during this difficult time, particularly from individuals wishing to foster animals," Starr said. 

The humane society still has 51 animals in foster homes and 53 more foster homes on standby. Starr said he doesn't anticipate the need for more foster families at the moment. 

Bounce Animal Rescue in Fort Collins has seen a threefold increase in adoption applications and a flood of families stepping up to foster dogs, said executive director Anneliese Clark. 

Pre-pandemic, Bounce typically received five to 10 adoption applications per dog. Now, it's seeing 30 applications per animal and getting about 50 foster home applications a day. "The entire community is stepping up for animals," Clark said.

"Typically, foster homes are pretty sparse in Colorado," she said. Even if Bounce doesn't have dogs to place in all potential foster homes, Clark hopes those same people will still be interested in fostering after normal life resumes. 

"It has been awesome to see so many people step up," she said. "I hope people won't stop caring once this is over. Foster homes are always wanted." 

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Weekly adoption events are on hold during the pandemic, but Bounce is still doing virtual appointments with potential adopters, "low-contact" handoffs for adoptions and a one-week trial for all adoptions to make sure the match is a good fit.

"The silver lining is knowing even though (the pandemic) is a human problem ... people are making sure the animals are taken care of," Clark said.

At All Aboard Animal Rescue, the nonprofit lately is seeing about 150 adoption applications a week but has only four dogs left to adopt, said director Madison Gartside. 

The rescue, which is foster based, usually brings up dogs from shelters in New Mexico and Texas, where there is a higher rate of strays. 

Those states now are also seeing an increase in adoptions and have fewer dogs to send up north, Gartside said. 

Even some of All Aboard's more difficult-to-place dogs "are finally finding great homes," she said. "Our only issue is we have a ton of foster families available and no dogs." 

The physical and mental health benefits of animal companionship are well documented, Clark said, and in this time of physical distancing may help people feel less isolated. People may also feel the time is right to adopt an animal while they are at home, Gartside said. 

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How veterinary clinics are handling the pandemic

Colorado State University's veterinary hospital is open for pharmacy, critical follow-up appointments and emergencies. Most other vet clinics are also open for emergency and critical care. 

Pet owners are encouraged to call their veterinarians before visiting the clinics. 

There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread from pets to humans or other animals, but Dr. Michael Lappin, professor of infectious disease at CSU's vet hospital, recommends that owners:

• Keep your animals with you if you are self-quarantined. "Continue to allow them to enrich your lives," Lappin said.  
• Maintain good hygiene practices, including social distancing and washing hands to keep yourself from getting infected. Wash you hands after interacting with your pets.
• If you become hospitalized, arrange care for animals left at home with family or friends.
• Contact your vet if you have questions or concerns. 

Want to help?  

The humane society and most rescue groups are in need of financial support to ensure they can continue to care for animals. In addition to financial support, the humane society is accepting fabric face masks in order to support efforts to preserve personal protective equipment. If interested, email volunteer@larimerhumane.org. 

All Aboard is also in need of paper towels, dog kennels, dog harnesses or donations toward medical expenses or possibly future location for animal shelter/boarding. Email allaboardanimalrescue@gmail.com. 

For information on Bounce, visit bounceanimalrescue.org.

For information on Animal Friends Alliance visit savinganimalstoday.org. 

Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health care and growth issues in Northern Colorado. Contact her at patferrier@coloradoan.com. Please support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a subscription today.