Eric Jeng poses with his adopted 4-year-old mastiff mix, Kylo, at the dog park, Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
Friday, July 24, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Jessica Suarez intended to adopt a small, young dog to keep her company while she worked from home during the coronavirus pandemic. But when she got to the pet adoption center, Charlie, an 8-year-old German shepherd with arthritis, was the last dog left.
She remembers the attendant saying, “I don’t know if you want to see her. She’s kind of old.”
“When I saw her, her face was so kind, and she just looked so happy to be greeted, or to even have any attention,” Suarez says. “I was like, ‘I can’t leave this dog. She’s the sweetest dog on the planet.’ ”
Suarez, 24, is one of many Las Vegans who have adopted a pet for companionship amid months of isolation and social distancing. At least two Southern Nevada shelters say they’ve had an overload of adoption applications since people began staying inside to prevent contact with the virus.
More people applied to adopt or foster a pet at the Animal Foundation in a two-week period in March than during all of 2019, says Kelsey Pizzi, the foundation’s communications director. Pizzi says there were hundreds more applications than there were animals available for adoption.
Danielle Harney, the administrator at Henderson Animal Control, says 550 pets have been adopted since the coronavirus spread—not bad considering most adoption events have been canceled because of the pandemic. “That’s a huge number considering everything is shut down. Our doors have been locked since March,” Harney says.
Adding to the shortage of animals, many residents who fostered pets didn’t want to part ways when it came time to return their animals, so they adopted their new companion. “A lot of the people who were fostering fell in love with the animal,” Pizzi says.
Eric Jeng, 31, a foster parent-turned-permanent dog dad, adopted Kylo at the end of March. Kylo was a stray before he came to the shelter. He had kennel cough, was fighting scars and weighed 10 pounds less than he does now when Jeng first got him. “After three weeks, I was attached,” Jeng says. “I don’t want to get too sentimental. He’s very loyal. He’s very protective.”
Shelters aren’t allowing walk-in appointments because of the pandemic. Rather, it’s appointment-only and one customer at a time.
Under new protocols, people can search for a pet on the Animal Foundation website and adopt by appointment. Pizzi says the new system has worked well because people already have a pet in mind when they come in, instead of browsing the animals in person.
About 30 animals are adopted per day from the Animal Foundation. Small dogs are the most popular. Puppies cost $200. Adult large dogs cost $50. Adult small dogs cost $100. People can get two kittens for $100 or one for $75. Adult cats cost $25. Prices for rabbits, ferrets, chickens, ducks, snakes, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and gerbils can be found on the Animal Foundation’s website.
The foundation doesn’t specify dog breeds because of stereotypes, Pizzi says. “We would prefer that people get to know individual dogs, so we can help them find the right fit for their family.”
People wanting to adopt a pet from the Animal Foundation need proof that they’re at least 18 years old, and a picture ID with a current address or picture ID with a utility bill with a current address. They would also need to meet with a pet adoption counselor.
Roughly 100 to 200 animals are adopted from the Henderson Animal Control shelter per month. The shelter isn’t taking reservations or appointments, but would-be owners can call ahead to verify that the animal they want is still there. Humans have to call the front desk for health screenings before they enter the building.
Henderson Animal Control charges $80 for cats, $90 for dogs, $70 for ferrets, $35 for rabbits and $10 for guinea pigs. Fees include routine vaccines, spay or neuter surgery, microchip ID/registration and a rabies tag.
Adoption applicants who rent residences need to provide their landlord’s information so Henderson Animal Control can verify the pet is allowed at the residence. The organization might conduct a yard check before finalizing an adoption. “We will still reserve the right to conduct yard checks, and also reserve the right to deny any adoption if we feel it is not in the best interest of the pet,” reads the Animal Control website.
Harney says there are still people surrendering their pets for financial reasons, but not more than usual. She says she’s grateful for the people who adopt pets with special needs.
“It’s a blessing to have those people in our community who are willing to take on that extra work, time and money to be able to care for those kinds of pets,” Harney says.
This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.
