SULLIVAN COUNTY - Animal shelters and rescue centers around Sullivan County and the surrounding areas give their best to protect and house the community’s furry friends in need. However, with COVID-19 still surging throughout the county and the nation, the task of caring for these animals remains all the more challenging.

The Democrat reached out to several local animal shelters and care centers to try to understand how COVID-19 has continuously affected not only the people who assist in running the necessary organizations, but the animals that reside in their care as well.

Rocky’s Refuge

Rocky’s Refuge, the Roscoe-based animal shelter located at 605 Dutch Hill Road, has dealt with the blowbacks of COVID-19 much like many other businesses, individuals, and other animal shelters throughout the county.

Fortunately, the primary duties of the shelter were not hindered to the point of impossibility. In most cases, the trapping, spaying and fostering of kittens and cats across the area were not halted.

“We seem to still be spaying a lot of cats and rehoming a lot of kittens,” said Virginia Grant, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the shelter. As for the financial support, COVID-19 has brought difficulty to the shelter.

Rocky’s Re-Useables, the thrift store that financially supports the shelter in which 100 percent of the proceeds go towards Rocky’s Refuge, had recently begun the process of moving location due to complications caused by COVID-19.

While the store is still in the process of moving, Grant is hopeful the new location for Rocky’s Re-Useables will allow them to hit the ground running and continue to support the animals in their care.

Catskill Animal Rescue

In a strange yet fortunate turn of events, Catskill Animal Rescue of Ferndale, located at 263 Old Monticello Road, has seen operations improve during the pandemic.

According to Beret Nearing, Adoption Coordinator for the shelter, adoption rates have greatly improved during the pandemic with almost zero returns. Nearing believes this is partially due to the diligence of the shelter in confirming that those adopting are willing and able to continue to care for and look after a pet, being cautious of people who are currently working from home and will eventually return to their place of work which may cause for the return of the animal to the shelter, as well as the shelters ‘appointment only’ status no longer accepting walk-ins.

“We are getting repeat adopters,” Nearing explained.

After nearly three years of sheltering and assisting animals in need, Catskill Animal Rescue has become a larger staple in the community and a beacon for animals in need and people who want to give them a new home.

Catskill Animal Rescue will be maintaining an ‘appointment only’ status, as this has improved not only the rate of adoption of dogs and cats, but the longevity of their rehome status.