SARASOTA – Coronavirus is keeping many Suncoast residents home and with budgets tight. To help animals find their forever homes, adoption fees are now being waived at the Humane Society of Sarasota.
“So right now we’re trying to find the best fit for each animal,” says Director of Marketing and Engagement at the Humane Society of Sarasota, Kristin Cooper. “Just because they are essentially free doesn’t mean that they’re going home with you today.”
All potential adopters are required to fill out an adoption questionnaire. An adoption counselor or matchmaker will then help you find the perfect match. And if you are interested in adopting, it is recommended you visit their website first.
“All of our animals are available on our website, its live time, so once an animal gets adopted they’re off the website and then animals that are available for adoption get put on the website so we want to recommend that you check it often,” says Cooper.
Cooper says the adoption process typically takes about half an hour or so depending on how busy the facility is. The humane society is also limiting the number of people that come into the facility due to coronavirus concerns.
“So right now were limiting five people in the facility and we have a waiting list, so when you come to the facility, we’ll meet you outside, put your name on a piece of paper when it’s time for you to walk through and see what animals are available we’ll actually bring you in the facility,” says Cooper.
And if you are not able to adopt, you also have the option of fostering an animal.
“You take them home, and their still available for adoption but you pretty much promote them from your residence, take them out places on walks, and you get an adopt me vest for them and it helps promote them with people who otherwise wouldn’t come to the shelter to see them,” says Adoption and Foster Care Coordinator, Allison Page.
To foster an animal you can sign up on their website, Page says the humane society will get back to you within two days of submitting an application.
“And from there it’s as soon as we have a need for an animal, and right now we have a lot of need with everything going on right now,” says Page.
Remember that when you adopt a shelter pet, you are saving two lives, your new furry friend’s, and the new adoptable pet who is taking its place.
All adoptable animals come spayed, neutered, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccines. For more information on the adoption or fostering process, you can visit their website.