The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has seen a surge in the number of animals being adopted since coronavirus led to the close of non-essential business across the state and large numbers of Bay State residents staying at home.
Mike Keiley, the director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA, told Emily Rooney on WGBH New’s Greater Boston Thursday that there has been a 20 percent spike in the center’s adoption rate.
“We’ve definitely seen a huge increase,” he said. “I think it’s because people are certainly responding to our message that homeless animals still need to find wonderful families during this time.”
While the MSPCA’s adoption numbers have been up, their intakes are lower than they typically are during this time of the year.
“We are anticipating that has a lot to do with the idea that people want to have companionship, and if they don’t have an emergency need to surrender an animal they are holding off, and they’re a little bit afraid to go out if they can avoid it,” Keiley said.
Since shutdowns and social distancing have been in effect, the MSPCA has been offering virtual tours on Facebook to help people meet animals before they decide to adopt one.
“What we see in every crisis is that our community comes together to help animals and people that are in need. We are really touched by that,” Keiley said.
