Dog Adoptions Peak During Pandemic

People are craving companionship in these isolating times, so If there's one thing to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the increase in pet adoptions in NY, and they are turning to shelters to find their new best friend.

If you previously shied away from getting a dog due to working outside the home, you may now find yourself in an ideal situation. But remember that adopting a pet is a commitment to care for that pet for their entire life.

Adoptions

There has been an increase in animal adoptions in NYC since the outbreak of COVID-19 and New York shelters are seeing animals being adopted in higher numbers amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Are you thinking of adopting a #pet during this #coronavirus pandemic? Alex Silver from Animal Care Centers of New York City talks to Represent NYC about how pet adoption has changed since the #COVID19 spread started in March 2020 and if there are animals available to adopt or foster in NYC?

Looking for a New Friend?

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) has three full-service Animal Care Centers located in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as two Admissions Centers located in the Bronx and Queens. Whether arriving at our shelters due to homelessness, family crisis or abuse, we do not turn away any animal in need.

Adoption Services

ACC is a great place to find a wonderful cat, dog or rabbit to join your loving family. Open seven days a week, we can help you find the perfect pet for your home. If you are not able to visit our Care Centers, you may also find a pet from ACC at one of our off-site adoption events. For your convenience, you can also find a pet online through our Adoption Search where you may view pictures of the animals we have available for adoption on any given day. Additionally, AC&C partners with over 150 animal welfare and veterinary groups in the community through our New Hope Program as an alternative outlet for animal adoptions.

Some links that may be helpful if you are interested in adopting:

ACC's mobile app allows you to set up notifications: www.nycacc.org/app
ACC's new adoption search portal also allows you to filter by size, age, etc.: www.nycacc.app
Adoption fees/specials/what's included: https://www.nycacc.org/adopt/adoptionfees

Should I Foster or Adopt a Pet?

The NY ACC's Foster FAQ:

Who can foster? Just about anyone! You must be at least 18 years old to participate in NY ACC Foster Program. Additionally, if you lease or rent, you must get permission from your landlord prior to signing up to foster a dog.

What animals can go to foster? NY ACC works with each animal individually to find the best placement and set them up for success. The greatest need is usually for large breed dogs, adult cats, and seasonally for underage kittens (under 8 weeks old).

What does ACC provide to foster parents? NY ACC will provide basic supplies for your foster pet including food, toys, cat litter, harnesses & leashes etc. We will also send you home with any medication your foster pet is on. We are available for behavior and medical support, as well as helping you find adopters for your foster pet.

How do I get my foster pet? NY ACC is not able to transport animals to and from foster homes unless there is an emergency, so we do require that our foster parents be able to pick up pets from one of our three full-service care centers (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island) and be able to bring the pet back if a medical emergency arises.

How long will I be fostering for? NY ACC generally ask for a minimum of two weeks and the maximum is open ended. For shorter commitments, we have BoroughBreaks which allow you to take a dog out just for the day, or Straycations that help us get animals out of the shelter and into a home for a few days!

Can I foster if I have other pets? Yes you can! NY ACC requires that you separate your resident pet from your foster for the first 2 weeks. We are happy to provide advice on safe and slow introductions once the separation period is over.

If your interested in fostering, they can fill out the foster questionnaire at www.nycacc.org/foster

Any additional questions can be sent to accfosters@nycacc.org.

Separation anxiety: Treating dogs in the wake of COVID-19

With the relaxation of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are spending a less time cooped up at home, possibly starting back to work or school, or participating in activities that have been missing from our calendars since March.

You may be feeling some semblance of relief at these changes … but what about your dogs? How are they adapting to a suddenly- empty house where you’re not around 24/7?

With people going back to work dogs will experiencing dramatic changes in their lives. Many pets have adapted to families being around all the time, becoming comfortable with this new routine, and, then bam! Everything changes again. They can experience separation anxiety.

Your pets may also find themselves home alone for the first time in months when the kids go back to school this fall and or you go back to work. Animals that never experienced separation anxiety in the past could suddenly be coping with the perception of abandonment.

No one knows exactly what causes separation anxiety and vets or trainers cannot predict which animals will develop it. They do know, however, some factors predispose certain individuals to developing the problem.

The following can be true in most pets:

Senior pets: Generally speaking, senior pets have higher rates of anxiety-related problems. As we age, our ability to tolerate changes decreases—our pets are no different. Sudden or frequent variations in their routines are more likely to be distressing to them.

Newly adopted pets: Some studies have suggested dogs from shelters have a higher rate of separation anxiety. Does this necessarily mean they are more likely to develop this problem? Or does it mean dogs with separation anxiety have been relinquished at a higher rate or even escape more often and are then picked up by animal control? No one really knows. Keep in mind these pets have experienced upheavals in their lives about which we know very little. Pet owners are usually desperate for these new pets to settle into their home and be happy. So efforts should be made to help ease the stress of transition into a new household with new routines.

Pets with existing behavior issues (e.g. separation anxiety, noise aversion, etc.): These pets may have been better behaved and possibly even perceived as being less anxious while the owners are home. Owners may serve as social support for some anxious animals, helping them to feel better about being exposed to things that usually worry them. Due to their existing anxiety-related problem, they may be more sensitive to, or less able to cope with, another anxiety-inducing event than dogs without these problems. A sudden change in their routine, such as the owner going back to work, might be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back.”

Puppies: Puppies may not necessarily be more prone to separation anxiety than other pets, but they do provide an opportunity we should all leap at: prevention. There are things we can do to decrease the chance a puppy learns to fear its crate or to make it feel better about being left alone. If this is done while the puppy is young, when they are most easily affected by new experiences (good or bad), we have the ability to positively influence his or her welfare for their entire life. Spending a few minutes educating new puppy owners about this critical time in a puppy’s life and how best to manage it is priceless.

Sometimes pet behavior problems seem overwhelming, but many can be managed with the application of a little knowledge and a little effort. We're here to help you find answers to your pet behavior questions.

Canine Behavior Resources

ACC NYC has, right now, almost 200 dogs... amazing dogs available for adoption in New York City- as well as cats, and bunnies!

Adopt Today! https://www.nycacc.org/adopt/adoption-search