Shelter Shares Photo Of Nearly Empty Kennels Due To People Who Stepped Up To Foster

When the coronavirus outbreak began, and businesses started to close, many shelters worried about caring for lots of animals during this trying time. They hoped to find a few foster homes to care for some of their pets. To their surprise, lots of people stepped up.

Every year, about 30,000 animals go under the care of the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services in Texas. This is one of the largest municipal rescue centers all over the country. Because of that, their staff members have to work so hard to look after the homeless pets.

Because of the health concerns surrounding the pandemic, the shelter vowed to help as many animals as possible for them to get adopted, fostered, or rescued. What they did not expect was how the entire community would be more than happy to help them achieve their goal.

The shelter’s public relations and outreach manager, Lisa Norwood, said that in just two weeks, they received a total of 254 foster applications. Typically, they only get 60 in a month. As a result, they were able to get over 600 pets adopted, brought 118 to foster homes, and brought over 900 into local rescue partners.

Now, there are only around 150 animals left in the shelter. This was roughly one-third of their usual number. The parts of the building that are usually hectic are now empty. The staff couldn’t be more grateful to those who stepped up and helped them.

Lisa said that one of the things that they have seen is the rise of compassion during a crisis. It’s not only the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services that is experiencing the community’s love and support. Many people all over the country are adopting and fostering pets from different shelters too. Although the shelter always celebrates victories, regardless if they’re big or small, this was definitely among the biggest that they have seen in a while.

Credit: City of San Antonio Animal Care Services