Besides a typical spring slate of fundraising events, local pet shelters would normally be relying on income brought in by providing services such as boarding and daycare.
But those services were initially deemed nonessential, causing financial struggles at several Southland shelters. But volunteers and community donations have helped them stay afloat during the ongoing pandemic.
Emily Klehm, CEO of South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights, said the organization earns much of its income through offerings such as a spay/neuter clinic and a resale shop.
“With both shut down and with all our spring fundraisers either moved to virtual events or canceled, it’s been a challenge,” she said. “We’re forecasting major budget shifts down the road, as well, so we’re doing everything we can do to mitigate the hardship.”
Stacy Gaskins, founder of NAWS in Mokena, said much of her organization’s funding also comes from services that are considered nonessential, such as boarding and daycare.
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“Due to the coronavirus restrictions in place we have been forced to close our doors to the public and are at risk of closing permanently,” she wrote in an online fundraiser she created March 20.
That fundraiser’s goal of $20,000 was shattered by the end of April, with donations of $21,480.
Gaskins said that money has helped NAWS survive in March in April and she now has a loan that will help get the organization get through May and part of June.
Tinley Park PAWS also is feeling financial woes during the pandemic.
“We have no income,” said Terri Buckley, the organization’s vice president. “That’s understandable.”
But she said people are still reaching out to PAWS to foster or adopt animals.
Following social distancing protocols Buckley said people can start the adoption process online by looking at photos of the animals or even have a video visit.
She said people also can make an appointment to come to the shelter, but they would need to wear a mask.
Klehm said SSHS had 137 adoptions in April, which really helped lift the burden from the shelter.
“We’ve had a really tremendous response from the community to foster and adopt and we’re so grateful,” she said.
Klehm said SSHS currently had 10 dogs and 12 cats, well below the combined capacity at the Chicago Heights location and the Homewood Adoption Center of 105 dogs and 80 cats.
She said pets are known to reduce people’s blood pressure and stress levels.
“So, having pets at home during this quarantine is lessening our stress, giving us a wonderful focal point and bringing us the daily joy they deliver,” Klehm said.
Buckley said they are hoping the animals find forever homes and don’t want people to adopt them just to help them get through the pandemic.
She said some people are finding this is a good time to adopt since everybody’s home and they can help train the animal and help it become accustomed to its new surroundings.
Local animal advocates said there has been little to no concern from people worried about contracting coronavirus from their pets even as there have been a few reports of animals becoming infected, especially cats.
“We had a few phone calls, but as the statement from the Chicagoland Life Saving Coalition states … there is no evidence that cats can transmit the virus,” Klehm said.
The concern is still for human-to-human transmission at the shelters.
Buckley said only two dog volunteers, two cat volunteers and one front desk person are allowed per shift to minimize the amount of people in one place.
“We have more than enough volunteers,” she said.
Klehm said volunteers are limited to two per shift, so the maximum of people in the building never exceeds 10.
“Our greatest concern in the beginning was our staff becoming ill,” Klehm said. “By dividing into teams so they are only exposed to the same group, ensuring PPE and socially distancing we have thankfully avoided that thus far.”
And to help families struggling financially during this time Buckley said PAWS is giving away free pet food this weekend.
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Between noon at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday she said people can call PAWS at 815-464-7298 from the parking lot 8301 W. 191st St. in Tinley Park and someone will bring them the pet food they need.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.