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Humane Society of Northwest MT reminds potential owners to carefully consider adoptions

Posted at 10:27 PM, Apr 15, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-16 16:15:38-04

KALISPELL — The Humane Society of Northwest Montana is asking potential pet owners to carefully consider adoption during the coronavirus outbreak.

Executive director Lori Heatherington says adoptions are up because many people may want a pet for company at this time.

While the Humane Society still allows adoptions during the outbreak, all interviews are conducted over the phone. A scheduled meet and greet is done with social distancing outside in the pet park.

While she encourages people to seek out adoption, Heatherington stresses potential pet owners should be serious about their adoptions.

"It's very easy to say, when you're home and world is not spinning that oh I'm here and I can devote all my time to my pet," she said. "But, what about when you go back to work and that pet has to be secured while you're at work. And of course, pets require vet visits, dental bills, and they require food, and on-going vaccinations and all of sudden you're like wow I took on a lot of responsibility."

Heatherington explained to MTN News that the Humane Society encourages all families who want to spay and neuter their pets to wait. She says currently veterinarians are only performing emergency surgeries to limit their use of personal protection equipment.