LI Pet Daycare Company Fosters Shelter Pets During Coronavirus

RONKONKOMA, NY — Although the number of volunteers and staff at animal shelters has gone down due to the coronavirus pandemic, many dogs and cats have been fostered and adoptions have gone up. One dog daycare company is pitching in by bringing some dogs and cats who are being housed at shelters during the virus shutdown period to the facility for socialization and training.

Hounds Town USA is a pet care chain based in Ronkonkoma with seven Long Island locations. According to Melanie Heicklen, an account manager with the company, five dogs and four cats have been taken from the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter and the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter to spend the month of April at Houndstown USA, where they will be socialized in small groups.

"Amidst the chaos we are facing today, Hounds Town USA is on a mission to help ease their municipal shelter partners' burdens by offering newly-opened space in their facilities to several dogs from shelters through the month of April. Through the brand's Fresh Air Fund, these dogs who would otherwise be riding out a quarantine will have a chance at some fun, relaxation, behavior training and socialization. We also help alleviate the workforce burden on the shelters."

The director of Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter confirmed that they have 55 dogs left in the facility, down from over 100 before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Heicklen told Patch.

Hounds Town USA was founded by a former commander of the Nassau County Police Department Canine Unit. The franchise now has 11 locations in several states.

According to a USA Today article, animal fostering increased by 93% last week as the coronavirus led to many shelters to ask volunteers to help in anticipation of limited shelter services.