With So Many People at Home,
Animals Find New Families
50 MAY 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY LORI DRAZ
Even the most difficult times have their moments of triumph, and this is
one of the best – there has been a marked rise in adoptions at the Monmouth
County SPCA. For many families, this time spent at home has
allowed them to add the new family members they have wanted for so long.
Bringing home a new pet, especially a puppy or a kitten, should involve lots
of bonding time, and that has been in long supply. The number of adoptions
of pets with behavioral and special needs is also up, according to local
experts. Many people are also fostering animals at this time as well.
Ross Licitra, executive director of the Monmouth County SPCA and the
chief of Humane Law Enforcement, shared the details of this happy development.
“We have been receiving a stream of phone calls every day, and thankfully
we are operating with nearly a full staff,” Licitra said. “We have also
taken many steps to make sure that the adoptions continue despite social
distancing restrictions, and it is working out very well for everyone, especially
the animals.”
Those interesting in adopting a pet during the COVID-19 crisis must
begin the process online where they can learn about the available animals,
print all forms and request an appointment. Then a counselor contacts the
potential pet parents by phone to screen his or her personality and lifestyles
and to set up an appointment to meet the animal in a private room. These
skilled counselors can share lots of background on the animals, including
their temperaments and preferences so people can consider several fits.
Because the veterinary clinic has been working so briskly and the
MCSPCA staff wants to place these animals into good homes, people can
actually meet, fall in love and leave with their pet that day. The shelter’s
policy is to spay or neuter all animals before they leave, but for now, they are
allowing people to leave with an addendum to return after the crisis to have
the animal spayed or neutered. The spay and neutering services, along with
medical exams, grooming and shots, microchipping and many other things
are all included in the adoption fees. Fees for puppies (under 6 months) are
$550, adult dogs are $250, and senior dogs (7 years and older) are $100.
Kittens under 6 months are $150, and $75 for each additional kitten.
Cats over 6 months are $100 and $50 for each additional, and
cats 7 years and older are $50.
The MCSPCA also offers discounts on adoption fees
for military veterans under its Pets for Patriots program.
Licitra said special precautions are being taken while screening
adoptive parents to make sure they know they are making a commitment
for the animal’s life.
Just next door, the Vogel Veterinary Care Center (VVCC) has been
running without a hiccup during the crisis. In fact, the clinic is seeing
more people taking care of their pets’ vaccinations and other services
while they have the time. Pets can be dropped off and picked up curbside.
The adoption success has produced a couple of media stars. One
is Che Che, a 9-year-old white toy poodle who arrived on April 11. She
was brought to the SPCA by the children of her owner, who had passed
from the virus. Che Che had been a one-owner dog all her life, and she
couldn’t fit into the homes of the owner’s children or friends. Che Che
arrived scared and confused but was given lots of TLC, a warm bubble
bath and all necessary medical attention, including complete dental
work, all courtesy of the VVCC. Within days, Che Che’s story began
drawing media attention, and she appeared on “ABC News” and “Good
Morning America,” among other New York and New Jersey news stations.
Che Che attracted a long list of people eager to welcome her into
their homes, and she is well on her way to living the rest of her life with
a loving family.
Another wonderful story was the one about a beautiful German
shepard who came to the shelter as a stray. The shelter couldn’t find a
microchip, and it kept the dog for 14 days, surprised that no one was
claiming this wonderful dog. Just before the staff was going to adopt
the dog out, they discovered the microchip, tracing it to a family in
Freehold. The entire family had been battling the coronavirus and was
too sick to look for the dog. The shelter reunited the dog in his own
complimentary carrier, delivering it directly to the home of the joyous
parents.
Licitra also was excited to share an incredible ongoing act of generosity.
An anonymous donor has created a $200,000 matching donation
fund, which will run through Monday, Aug. 31.
This Compassion Counts Matching Donor Campaign allows
people to save twice as many lives of vulnerable cats, dogs
and other companion animals (not to mention wildlife!) right
here in Monmouth County. Any amount donated will
be doubled so the MCSPCA can celebrate its 75th
anniversary by helping even more animals in the
community.
The animal shelter is considered an essential
service and is therefore open six days a
week (closed Tuesdays and Sundays during the
crisis).
To learn more or see photos of adoptable
animals, visit MonmouthCountySPCA.org
or visit its Facebook page.
/TheJournalNJ.com
/MonmouthCountySPCA.org