Having an animal can make the day feel a little less lonely at times and caring for one can help people feel a sense of purpose when struggling to find motivation to take on their day. Pets offer a companionship that can help reduce levels of stress and anxiety ; which is why Director and Founder of Art 4 Animals, Tanisha says it was no surprise when there was a surge in adoptions when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March.
Purring the blues away
“When the pandemic first hit it was crazy! Everybody was adopting cats…we got into the single digits of adoptable cats around April, which is definitely unheard of,” Tanisha explained.
A4A adoptable cat, Silver (currently being fostered)
The non-profit organization, Art 4 Animals had to switch to video chat meet and greats for adoption applications because of the huge demand. As regulations loosened and more businesses began to re-open, Tanisha said the adoption applications slowed down but she was happy for the amount of cats that did find forever homes.
In 2018, Canadian shelters took in over 81, 000 cats and nearly 30, 000 dogs (Human Canada, Animal Shelter Statistics 2018).
The COVID-19 pandemic left many people lonely in isolation and others with far more time on their hands than imagined. Walking a dog offers physical activity as well as socialization. Petting either a dog or cat can reduce cortisol levels associated with stress (WSU, 2019). Having an animal companion is a way to provide yourself with great company when feeling overwhelmed by the new normal.
Rewarding experience
Tanisha said although not everyone can make a long-term commitment by adopting, there are other options. Now that adoption applications have slowed down, there have been many people interested in fostering.
“Fostering is definitely the key to being able to rescue in the first place because we don’t have a physical shelter so we rely 100 percent on foster homes.”
One of Art 4 Animals goals is to rescue and re-home cats in London but, because they are ran by volunteers, foster homes for the cats are crucial for the organization to operate. More foster homes means more rescued cats.
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— Art 4 Animals Canada (@art4animalscnd) September 17, 2020
Fostering entails taking the animal into your home for a set or unpredicted amount of time until the animal is adopted or the adoptee is ready to bring the animal into their own home. Fostering is temporarily opening up your home and providing care so the animal does not have to live in a shelter until adoption day.
Local non-profit
Art 4 Animals is located at 38 Adelaide St. N Unit 3 and has been operating as a local non-profit organization since 2016. Ran by volunteers, A4A provides animal education, resources and outreach to the community.
While a huge focus is the rehoming of cats, A4A also supports the community in several unique ways.
The centre showcases many local artists, crafters and jewellers pieces with part of purchase always going back into like-minded charities and animals in need.
A4A showcasing local artwork
They provide outreach, spay and neuter accessibility programs and work along side pet food banks in London.
Uniquely, A4A also runs a charity shop where they accept donations of all kinds (no large furniture due to space) and allow those in need to pay by donation.
“Whatever you think the item is worth, is what you pay or whatever you are able to afford,” Tanisha explained about the shop.
All of the money from this charity shop goes right back into their programs which allows the non-profit to keep operating and supporting the local community.
The centre currently has around 50 cats living in foster homes that are ready to be adopted and are now again able to host their adoption weekends with Pet Valu.
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