Brandywine Valley SPCA seeks fosters during COVID-19 crisis

With much of America stuck at home as coronavirus spreads across the country, Delaware’s chief animal shelter is asking citizens to share that time with a furry friend.

Brandywine Valley SPCA is looking for foster parents for animals during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We don’t know what the future will bring for our adoptions and intake, and fostering not only gives a homeless pet a break from the shelter, it eases our space,” said spokeswoman Linda Torelli. “Many people may be in a better position than normal to foster since they’re home from work and school.”

Besides fostering, Torelli said the shelter is still moving forward with adoptions. She said Brandywine Valley SPCA’s shelters in Georgetown, Dover and New Castle are open regular hours, as is the Animal Health Center, so pets can still receive veterinary care. 

“We have a lot of homeless pets depending on us, and adopting now is a win-win,” Torelli said. 

To ease the threat of the virus, she said Brandywine Valley is maintaining extensive cleaning protocols and practicing distancing when multiple people are in the shelter. Torelli said if appropriate distancing cannot be maintained, clients might be asked to wait in the car if someone is ahead of them. She said staff scheduling will remain the same. 

Finally, Torelli said for families that may be impacted financially from loss of work, Brandywine Valley SPCA has a pet food pantry at its shelters, which will be running daily instead of twice per month. At the Georgetown shelter, the pantry runs from 12 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

Torelli said, “Folks self-isolating can bring home wonderful company, and it helps us free up space for future uncertain needs should adoptions decline or intake increase.”

Those interested in fostering animals can go to bvspca.org/covid-19-foster.