After close to four months in quarantine, it’s finally time to leave the shelter.
The Midland and District OSPCA branch will join other centres across the province and now offer “limited contact adoptions” after carefully considering and researching the safest way to resume adoptions during COVID-19.
While the cats, dogs and other critters now staying at the Midland Animal Centre have been getting plenty of love and attention in the interim, it’s time to move on.
“The animals have had incredible enrichment with the centre staff, and are very well adjusted and happy, said Robin Elliott, the centre’s community development coordinator. “They’re looking forward to going to their new ‘furrever’ homes.”
Those interested in adopting, can follow this link to check out animals now available for adoption locally and then complete an accompanying Meet Your Match survey.
“They can then contact the centre to arrange virtual meet and greets with them and ask the staff any questions they may have about the animals or the process,” Elliott said. “Once they decide they would like to finalize an adoption, they can come to the centre on their appointed date.”
Small animals will be in crates or carriers of some kind and placed on a table in the shelter’s vestibule.
“The adoptive parents can then open the outside vestibule doors and collect their new family member, along with any paperwork,” Elliott said, noting masks for adopters are recommended while hand sanitizer will be provided and payment will be through virtual means.
“For larger dogs, they will have their leash attached to a carabiner in the vestibule, and the same process will happen.”
Elliott said that while the shelter's site is currently showing six animals available for adoption, there are an additional 10 cats or kittens who are already in the process.
"There are also two dogs currently available and in process and an additional four that will be available, but are not ready at this time," she said.
Elliott said centre staff will respond to emails and phone calls as quickly as they can.
“We know that everyone is very anxious at this time to join the adoption list, but I would ask at this time that you be patient with the centre staff. Please don’t leave multiple messages, as this can be confusing. We promise we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
