How COVID-19 has changed pet adoption in Hamilton
Published October 6, 2020 at 12:45 pm
COVID-19 has forever changed the way many businesses and offices operate thanks to the untapping of previously underutilized digital resources and the realized economic efficiencies that come from employees working from home.
But what about businesses and services that rely heavily on emotional connections built through physical interactions?
The pandemic has made it so animal shelters in the Hamilton area have instituted limited or no-touch adoptions — meaning you won’t get to hold your new pet until after the adoption has been finalized.
“It’s just the situation we’re in,” said Heather Ashcroft, Adoption Coordinator at the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA). “We want to ensure that our animals and staff, as well as the public, are kept safe during these times.”
The HBSPCA has a no-contact adoption process and Heather plays the biggest role, interviewing candidates over the phone or via email.
“You can fill out an application online and indicate whether a particular animal catches your eye,” said Heather. “Then we can have a chat and I’ll let you know if it’s a good fit. If not, I can recommend a different pet.”
Videos
Heather asks prospective pet owners a series of questions related to the environment of their home, their typical work or school schedule, and their experience as a pet owner.
Whether their living situation might change post-COVID-19 also comes into play.
“We’ve had a few people return animals once their work situation changed during the pandemic but it’s extremely rare. The process has largely been a success.”
Heather added that the HBSPCA’s adoption numbers have remained fairly consistent throughout the pandemic.
Could you adopt a pet without first holding or petting them?
Janice did. She adopted Pepper in September after her 14-year-old daughter begged for a kitten, having lost their previous cat to old age in March.
“I was a little disappointed with the adoption process at first,” Janice told inthehammer.com. “I think most people want to visit the animal and hold them before adopting.”
She explained that the screening process was more in-depth than expected. Janice said she had to submit her driver’s license for a background check.
“I was surprised because it’s like they’re interviewing you, but it’s probably a good way to weed people out who aren’t serious about having a pet,” continued Janice.
When Janice made the cut and was ready to pick up her new kitten, she drove to the HBSPCA at 245 Dartnall Rd. with her own crate and pulled up to the shelter.
“I slid the crate in between the sliding doors and then I was handed a box of information and kitten food. After I signed the paperwork, the crate was slid back to me with Miss Pepper inside.”
While the process has become more tedious and slightly less personal, Janice said there are elements of the new adoption system that could work post-COVID-19.
“I will say that having the coordinator help with your adoption over the phone and through email was great. Heather was super responsive and helpful and she did a great job of suggesting the right kittens for my daughter and me.”
Pandemic or not, people will always want furry companions and animals will always need homes.
While a completely virtual pet adoption process is unlikely to replace the personal experience of connecting with an animal before bringing them home, some of the aspects of the newly-digital screening process may be here to stay.
Those looking to adopt from the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA can find a full directory of available pets, as well as the new adoption policies, at hbspca.com.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising