Post Animal Refuge Center sees plummet in adoption rates since Covid-19 pandemic
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By Elizabeth Tanner/The Post Dispatch—
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in March, adoptions from the Post Animal Refuge Center have declined leaving less room to rescue more homeless dogs.
“Between March 15 and June 14, 2020, we have only adopted out 17 dogs,” Director Janet Plummer said. “In 2019, during the same time period, we adopted out 34 dogs.”
Plummer correlates the significant drop in numbers to the cancellation of adoption events because of Covid-19.
“All of the regular adoption events we normally attend have been cancelled because of Covid-19,” Plummer said.
In turn, Plummer says this has directly affected the number of dogs the shelter is able to rescue.
“Because of the decrease in adoption, we have taken in 10 fewer dogs this year than at this time last year,” she said.
Plummer said the shelter also has seen dogs returned to the shelter during the pandemic.
“We had one dog adopted just as the pandemic started and returned because the adopter didn’t have time for a dog when he returned to work,” Plummer said.
Volunteers are allowed at the shelter but only a limited number of individuals are allowed on the grounds at once.
“We are always concerned about the cleanliness of the shelter because of diseases carried by the dogs, so we always have hand sanitizer available,” Plummer said. “During the pandemic, we have tried to limit the number of people at the shelter at one time to no more than four, and most of the chores are done outside.”
Some of the dogs also have been affected by the pandemic, missing human social interaction. One of those pups is Rachael, a Post Nursing and Rehab Center weekly visitor.
“I’m sure she misses the nursing home residents,” Plummer said of Rachael. “I’m sure they miss her just as much.”
However, Plummer said she remains positive and thanks the community and loyal volunteers who continue to keep the shelter up and running even through unprecedented times.
“The shelter survives on donations and grants,” Plummer said. “We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the community. We have a great group of core volunteers who have been with PARC since the beginning. We have a loyal, dedicated individual who has been with us almost every morning for over five years. He makes sure the animals are fed, exercised and loved five days a week. We also have a dependable group of evening feeders who take one evening a week for a month at a time to ensure all the dogs are seen and fed twice a day.”
In fact, R Brothers recently donated 300 pounds of dog food and dug a tunnel for the dogs to play in. Smokin’ Dicks BBQ also helps out the shelter, donating dropped pork skins for treats.
With 19 dogs under the shelter’s care, 16 at the shelter and 3 in foster homes, Plummer reminds the community that there are always ways to help.
“We always need training treats, cleaning supplies and mostly volunteers,” Plummer said. “Someone is at the shelter two times a day, seven days a week to clean pens and feed the dogs. There is always some kind of maintenance needed at the shelter. This time of year, mowing is almost a daily chore. We also need people willing to walk dogs, play with dogs, sit in a kennel with a bashful dog or take an evening feeding shift.”
The shelter has Paypal set up on its webpage – www.postanimalrefuge.com – for monetary donations. The mailing address is P.O. Box 13, Post, TX 79356.
To adopt, call 806-317-8041, message PARC on Facebook at Post Arc, or email postarc@yahoo.com.
“We are always happy to meet potential adopters at the shelter for a meet and greet,” Plummer said.
