The spread of COVID-19 is affecting more than just humans. Pennsylvania’s state of emergency has forced animal shelters to operate with limited resources, staff and volunteers.
However there are still plenty of animals in need of care, fostering or adoption. As shelters adjust the ways they are operating, there also are a variety of ways for animal lovers to offer assistance.
The Center for Animal Health and Welfare (CAHW) in Easton is closed to the public through May 8, they announced in a statement on their website.
The center is operating with only essential staff at this time, and volunteer orientations and dog handling classes are temporarily suspended.
The center is still encouraging people to sign up to foster pets, however. Foster applications can be found on their website. Once completed, applications may be emailed to ca************@rc*.com.
“We have been lucky to see a 40 percent increase in our foster program, allowing many of our long-term residents to have a respite from shelter life,” CAHW Director Kelly Bauer said. “We believe that when the time comes, their chances of being adopted will increase thanks to the commitment of our foster parents.”
The center is also keeping a donation bin in front of its building at 1165 Island Park Road in Easton. The items that the center currently needs most are slow feeder dog bowls, Kong dog toys, soft dog treats, pellet litter, cat toys, wet cat food, laundry detergent and paper towels. The center has plenty of regular cat litter thanks to a local organization.
Still not sure how to help? Consider donating a PVC cat tower, purchasing items from the CAHW Amazon wishlist or making a monetary donation.
Bauer is also encouraging people to support local businesses and help the Center by buying the CAHW staff lunch. If interested, please email ca**********@rc*.com.
Visit the CAHW Facebook page to keep up to date with the center’s news and upcoming events, such as their virtual bingo fundraiser on May 1, 2020.
Ollie is one of a number of pets currently available for adoption at the Center for Animal Health and Welfare. To learn more about him, click here.
The Lehigh County Humane Society (LCHS) is currently operating by appointment only according to a statement on its website.
The LCHS has partnered with Peacable Kingdom and the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley to raise awareness of the need for and shortage of pet food in Allentown, LCHS Director Deirdre Federico Snyder said.
The LCHS has served as a dropoff, collection point and distribution center for the Animal Food Bank, and has provided access to free pet food from its food pantry for Allentown residents affected by COVID-19.
The LCHS is in need of donations of cat and kitten food that do not contain red dye (they suggest Purina products). Donations of bleach, Windex and paper towels are welcome, as are monetary donations.
Snyder also encourages people to write thank you cards to the staff, or to order the staff lunch from local restaurants.
“I would like to bring some attention to those who are taking care of the animals at the shelters, rescues and animal welfare agencies who never closed their doors,” Snyder said. “We believe that animal health and welfare needs to be strengthened as a critical priority in Allentown and in the Lehigh Valley.”
The Humane Society provides news and updates on its Facebook page.
The Last Chance Ranch (LCR) animal rescue in Quakertown is encouraging a variety of ways to support the rescue and its animals on its website.
The rescue recently ran a virtual auction to help raise funds for its animals, with a goal of raising $10,000 to help make up for the postponement of their April 4 Tails and Ties Rescue Gala.
Those who wish to support the animal rescue may also donate money via PayPal. LCR has its own Amazon Wishlist full of items the rescue is in continued need of. Browse LCR’s supplies and materials wishlist for other items the rescue accepts as donations.
Visit LCR’s donate page to view the full list of options to support the animal rescue during this time.