Animals at the Manhattan shelter are suffering from the virus – never getting a contract from COVID-19.
Doors to the NYC Animal Care Center in East Harlem are closed to the public Wednesday night, with a bright red sign outside telling the community that COVID-related staff shortages are to blame. Risa Weinstock, Head of the city-run shelter, said more of their staff are in quarantine than they have been positive for the virus.
That means there are far fewer people available to walk, play with and care for the animals that live at the center on 110th East Street. Now the shelter is looking for homes that would be willing to provide short-term accommodation for dogs, cats and even guinea pigs.
“We move some animals to locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island, dependent on our rescue partners and we have pushed up fostering and adoption,” Weinstock said.
In 24 hours, the shelter is able to find new temporary homes from 45 pets. Their biggest remaining need is to help large dogs find nurses with access to places to stretch their legs and play.
“The urgency is now to put big dogs in so that we can provide more time and attention while we are short of staff,” Weinstock said, adding that the shelter has been very large. involved in helping people keep their pets.
“We have a team of people who went into the homes of people who could be in the hospital … we were there for anyone who needed our services,” she said.
Now the shelter needs their help, as workers need time to take care of themselves.
“We will support them by allowing them to take the time off they need,” Weinstock said.
If you are interested in short-term feeding or adopting an animal from NYC Animal Care Centers, visit their website to see how you can help.