‘Flying out the door’: With adoptions up and donations down, animal shelters look to 2021 – IndyStar

Rebecca Stevens, president/CEO of Humane Society for Hamilton County, is eager to help the shelter raise the funds needed to move into a new space. Indianapolis Star

While the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc this year there has been unexpected upside:pet adoptions are on the rise as people stuck at home seek companionship.

Thats especially true in Hamilton County, where adoption rose 8% over last year and the number of people fostering animals has soared.

I have never seen our cages so empty,"said Rebecca Stevens, president of the Humane Society for Hamilton County. They are flying out the door.

Adoptions have been going so well that the no-kill shelter has been taking in hard-to-adopt animals targeted for euthanasia at other Indiana shelters and is still finding homes for them. Recently, a pit bull mix with special needs named Taylor who had waited two years was adopted.

Hamilton County Humane Society Behavior Manager Gina Doyle walks Goliath, one of the shelters longest residents of six months, up for adoption at the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant St, Noblesville, Ind., on Friday, Dec.11, 2020. Pet fostering and adoptions have been up across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)

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She is asthmatic, plus she has to be the only pet in the house, Stevens said,"and is a pit bull, so she had three strikes against her."

An accountant who had been working from home during the pandemic adopted her.He gives Taylordaily breathing treatments for chronic asthma.

We are seeing that a lot, its a national phenomenon, people are stuck at home and seeking company or have the tine to care for a pet that never had before, Stevens said.

The community adoption rate for pets from January to June nationwide was 73%, up from 64% last year, according to Shelter Animals Count, a non-profit that helps share data on shelter animals. At the same time euthanasia was down 43% because fewer animals are being given up and more people are fostering, the organization found.

The Humane Society of Indiana said puppy sales are also rising but the organization doesnt keep numbers on adoption rates statewide.

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Anecdotally, I have heard that shelter and rescue adoptions have increased throughout the state this year, said Sam Morton, Indiana state director,"since people are staying home and want to spend time with companion animals."

Pet stores and veterinarians have reported increasesin business as a result of the growing number of pet owners. Dog leash sales increased to $44.6 million, up 13% for the 24-week period ending Aug. 15, according to a Nielsen survey, and pet toy sales increased 18%, to $243 million, for the same period.

David Horth, chief executive officer of the Humane Society of Indianapolis, said adoptions have picked up recently and are running quite strong now but I do not believe we will see a year-over-year increase.

Possible, Horth said,"but not probable."

Garfield is a seven year old cat up for adoption at the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant St, Noblesville, Ind., on Friday, Dec.11, 2020. Pet fostering and adoptions have been up across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is one of the "Home for the Holiday's" pets at the shelter. (Photo: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)

Marlene Christie, of Noblesville, adopted Rocco in early in November. The diabetic and overweight 8-year-old cat was in the Hamilton County shelter for six months before sherescued him.

Hes considered an older cat, the kind people dont like adopting, but I like older cats, Christie, 62, said. They are calmer and more reserved. I want a cat that will just sit with me, not a kitten who is going to tear things up.

Christie said Rocco developed diabetes because the previous owners fed him too much. He weighed 22 pounds when Christie adopted him but is down to 18. Hes proven to be a valuable companion for her other cat, Toby, who she also adopted two years ago at the advanced age of 10.

They get along great, Christie said,"which is good for them when Im out babysitting my grandchildren."

Hamilton Countys adoption and fostering surge has come even as donations have decreased because large fundraisers have been curtailed, Stevens said.

Hamilton County Humane Society Director of Operations Megan Gonterman walks Willy, a dog up for adoption at the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant St, Noblesville, Ind., on Friday, Dec.11, 2020. Pet fostering and adoptions have been up across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.(Photo: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)

However, its biggest annual fundraiser, a formal dinner called Tinsel & Tails, raised more money this year despite being all virtual, netting $251,159 compared to $150,844 last year.

Many people who had reserved and paid for tables didnt ask for refunds and the organization was able to sell enough virtual tickets to increase the overall take.

But another event the Woofstock Survivor 5K and Dog Walk, raised only half as much as last year $77,000 and the shelter has had to close its resale shop.

Stevens said she expects 2021 to be another challenging year financially because of the pandemic and because the shelter is moving into a new home in Fishers. Our operating expenses are going to increase, Stevens said.

The $12 million building at Hague Road and 106th Street in Fishers is scheduled to open in April2021 and will replace the current home in Noblesville.

In the meantime, the shelter is proceeding with its Christmas push to adopt the 12 cats and dogs who have waited the longest for a home.

For more information on those 12 pets, visitthe shelter's website atwww.hamiltonhumane.com/programs/events/home-for-the-holidays.

USA Today contributed to this story.

Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@indystar.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

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'Flying out the door': With adoptions up and donations down, animal shelters look to 2021 - IndyStar