SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The CNY SPCA is hosting a seven-day adoption event and their shelter is packed with pets!
In light of the upcoming total eclipse, their “Total Eclipse of the Heart” event is focused on finding these animals forever homes. Troy Waffner is the CEO of the CNY SPCA and he shares that about 95% of dogs that come to the shelter end up finding homes in less than a year.
“The goal is, cause we’re a no-kill shelter, is to rehabilitate them all, and find them homes.”
According to previous adoption events, it was estimated that five to ten pets get adopted at these events. Volunteers like Erin Mcloughlin get emotional once they see animals they’ve bonded with leave.
“We’ve had dogs here for over a year at a time so we do get really close with some of the animals. But it is nice to see them finally get into a home and then the transition after when we follow up to see how they’re doing in their new home.”
The CNY SPCA say that they will host adoption events monthly to get rid of the influx of animals they’ve witnessed.
“We’re full, we have nowhere to put animals. So in order to keep helping with cruelty and stray animals we need to get animals out to keep getting animals in that need us.”
The coronavirus pandemic slashed their adoption rates since there were no animals being turned in. Waffner says that they have seen people adopt at the beginning of the pandemic and return towards the end.
“People who rush to get a dog without thinking about it are now rushing to get rid of that same dog.”
Currently, their adoption rates are up 20% but are still filled with animals eagerly awaiting to find their families.
The total eclipse of the heart adoption event is a mission towards emptying the shelter. CEO of CNY SPCA- Troy Waffner – says about 95% of dogs that come to the shelter find homes in less than a year.
Troy Waffner: “The goal is, cause we’re a no-kill shelter, is to rehabilitate them all, and find them homes.”
Events like these increase the shelter’s adoption rate. An estimated five to ten pets wake up in the shelter and go to sleep in a happy home on these occasions. Erin Mcloughlin is a volunteer and gets emotional seeing a pet leave after building a connection with them.
Erin Mcloughlin: “We’ve had dogs here for over a year at a time so we do get really close with some of the animals. But it is nice to see them finally get into a home and then the transition after when we follow up to see how they’re doing in their new home.”
Sydney Froelich: “The goal of the total eclipse of the heart event is for people to open their hearts and homes to new furry friends. However, the pace of adoptions are slow and that leaves shelters like these, filled to the brim.”
Erin Mcloughlin: “We’re full, we have nowhere to put animals. So in order to keep helping with cruelty and stray animals we need to get animals out to keep getting animals in that need us.”
During COVID adoption rates reached an all time low due to the lack of animals being turned in. People who longed for companionship during COVID eagerly adopted then quickly went back to return since the need for social interaction diminished.
Troy Waffner: “People who rush to get a dog without thinking about it are now rushing to get rid of that same dog.”
This year their adoption rates are up 20 percent. A challenge that shelter animals face is that they could be considered “used” or “throw away dogs” but at the CNY SPCA they emphasize to customers that truly every bunny is welcome. Sydney Froelich N-C-C- News.
