While both Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc. (ARF) and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) have officially closed their doors to the public in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), both shelters are still up and running, and utilizing unique processes to continue to find their residents forever homes.
“Although the ARF Adoption Center is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still hoping to find our cats and dogs their forever homes. With most people practicing social distancing and working from home, this is a perfect time to adopt an animal,” Jamie Berger, Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc. (ARF) Director of Marketing & Communications, noted. “However, we need to comply with state regulations and in an effort to keep our staff and animals safe we will be accepting online adoption applications and conducting adoptions by appointment only. Our adoption process remains the same, we just need to handle each situation one on one to limit the amount of people that congregate. The more animals we can place in loving homes, the more animals we can help that are in need.”
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SASF’s Lettie leaves with her foster mom. (Courtesy Photo) |
For more information about Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Inc., call 631-537-0400 or visit arfhamptons.org.
SASF has introduced a new initiative to connect SASFans with their forever homes. “In light of our recent closure, we’re delighted to introduce ‘SASF Roadside Adoptions & Fosters’ – a program designed to help our pets find their foster and forever homes in a sanitary, social-distance-friendly fashion!” Kate McEntee, SASF Director of Adoptions, explained. “We will meet you curbside to introduce you to our pet(s) and bring all pet supplies directly to you! We will still be implementing interactions for adopters/fosters who already own dogs – all of which can be done outside in a large area in order to limit social interactions and gathering between us humans.”
The process begins with potential adopters visiting SASF’s website to see if there’s an animal they feel a virtual bond with. “To take part in this program, you MUST fill out an application and be approved. One of our adoption coordinators will contact you for an adoption/foster interview and to discuss your possible matches,” McEntee noted. “Simply go to our website, pick your forever or foster pet and wait for your phone to ring!”
As the safety of all is of the utmost importance, those interested in welcoming a SASFan to their family must schedule their visit in advance. “We kindly ask that anyone feeling under the weather, not partake in this program. Please use your best judgment,” McEntee stressed. “Please do not show up to the shelter unannounced – all adoptions/fosters will be done by appointment only.”
“‘Roadside Adoptions/Foster Program’ is just an example of the agile thinking and creativity of our employees here at the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation,” Barbara Maresca, Interim Co-Executive Director Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, added. “All of our staff and volunteers demonstrate their dedication to the animals in our community each and every day and especially at a time like this. I myself am extremely proud to work with such wonderful people and such a great organization.”
For more information about Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, call 631-728-7387 or visit southamptonanimalshelter.com.
