Shelter open to staff, closed to visitors
By Monica Gardner
Photo Courtesy of HSWC
Early in March, the Humane Society of Waupaca County began to prepare in earnest for whatever fallout might come from COVID-19.
With so many little lives at stake, the approach was to over-prepare. Even though some services had to be suspended, the society is still providing the Waupaca area community with essential services.
Approximately 80 cats and 30 dogs were in the facility the week HSWC closed its doors to the public in order to help preserve the health of the 10 staff members necessary to care for and rehome these animals. A plea went out for help and as people started to think about weeks of quarantine ahead, many foster homes and adopters came forward.
Procedures for minimal contact pet pick-ups were developed and all but approximately six dogs and 15 cats were placed into foster homes or adopted out in the next few weeks. This enabled staff to spend extra time cleaning daily, put away all the donations brought in by generous members of the community and spend more time entertaining the animals.
Regular office hours have been suspended for the time being, but office staff is in daily, practicing physical distancing while checking the answering machine and replying to numerous emails.
Unfortunately, all plans for this summer’s rummage sale had to be cancelled or postponed until further notice and all Pets Rock visits are on hold.
“Probably the hardest part of this is that we had to ask our volunteers to stay home,” said Cindy O’Neill, the adoption center’s volunteer coordinator. “We want them to know we all miss them, but the animals are still getting extra attention because we have the population in the building much lower than usual. They all have allocated cuddle time and the dogs are still getting walked.”
The society’s Adoption Center is located at 2293 Commercial Drive in Waupaca and is accepting donations at the front entryway during the day. Current needs include dry cat, kitten and puppy food; peanut butter (without artificial sweetener); toilet paper; and monetary donations.
Available pets can be seen at www.waupacahumane.org. Search Waupaca Humane on Facebook to join in all the fun that started Friday, May 1.
• Monica Gardner is the operations manager of the Humane Society of Waupaca County. The society’s shelter is located at 2293 Commercial Drive, Waupaca.