Animal Adoption Increases Due To COVID-19 An Increase In Animal Adoption Due to COVID19

Buffalo, NY (NCC News) – Diamonds in the Ruff is a foster-based animal rescue organization. This means their animals get the experience of living in a home setting until they can find a permanent home. Due to COVID-19, volunteer Leandra Braham said there has been an increase in animal adoption and fostering. 

“We’ve seen more adoptions and fosters come in which is super exciting for us,” Braham said. “More people are home right now so that gives them time to be able to take in an animal.” 

In Syracuse, there are multiple locations for animal adoption. Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, CNY SPCA and HumaneCNY are just a few locations. 

According to the ASPCA, each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized — 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats. The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. 

With the pandemic, Diamonds in the Ruff isn’t able to go out in the public as much as they usually would to promote their shelter. They had to find new ways to showcase their animals. One way was through a partnership with Paula’s Donuts. On each donut box Paula’s Donuts sells there is a picture and a description of an animal that is up for adoption.

One misconception Braham said people make about animals in shelters and rescues is people think there is something wrong with the animals. When in reality their original owner, who most likely got from a breeder, can no longer care for them anymore. 

Braham adopted her dog Nico from Diamonds in the Ruff and it has made a huge impact on her life ever since. 

“My dog brings joy to my life every single day, I get to go on more walks and have more fun and it’s been nothing but a positive experience,” Braham said.