PHOENIX — Animal shelters and rescues are feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, too.
Many organizations are struggling with the lack of supplies, canceled adoption events, and overcrowding of shelters.
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control shared a message with the community Monday, saying they are continuing business as usual, with a few extra health and safety changes.
How can you help? MCACC is at capacity with animals in its kennels. They are looking for people to adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate money and UNUSED, UNOPENED supplies and food. At this time, used items are not being accepted.
On Tuesday, March 17, all pet adoptions at both locations will be 50% off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Large adoption events have been canceled.
If you feel sick, do not come to the shelter. Staff is working to sanitize the facilities and do regular deep cleanings.
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Other animal shelters and rescues are also looking for community members to step up with animal adoptions and care, as well as donations of supplies.
Stores are seeing a huge influx of people grabbing all of the cleaning merchandise and food they can, putting businesses at risk.
Liberty Wildlife, an animal rehabilitation, education and conservation center based in Phoenix, says they are looking for donations of toilet paper, paper towels as well as bird seed and cat food.
"These are the items that we need an extreme surplus of in order to prepare us and keep us going strong through our upcoming onslaught of thousands of baby animals in need," Liberty Wildlife says. "Not just Liberty Wildlife, but every non-profit is going to feel the effect of this pandemic!"
If there's an animal shelter, rescue group or conservation organization you like to support, consider reaching out to see how you can help, while still keeping yourself safe and healthy.
