NASHUA – While the Humane Society for Greater Nashua has taken the safety-first route against the COVID-19 virus threat by temporarily closing its clinics and suspending its transports of dogs from the South, animal adoptions are able to continue, thanks to basic technology.

Overall, Humane Society president and CEO Doug Barry said, the agency is “hurting” like so many others in these uncertain times, when seemingly everyone and everything is affected in one way or another.

Three employees have been furloughed, and most staff members have had their hours cut back, as the society’s leadership searches for ways to get through the crisis with as little lasting effect as possible.

“We’re a small organization to begin with,” Barry said, lamenting the fact that the furloughs and hour cutbacks became a reality. “We definitely want to bring them back as soon as possible,” he said, referring to the furloughed workers.

Typically, when times are lean, the society and its supporters, led by its pool of “corporate and organizational partners,” put together a fundraiser to augment its general donations and the proceeds it receives from its regular annual events.

But the pervasive nature of the COVID-19 threat makes it a good bet that pretty much everyone – including potential donors – aren’t in a position to help this time around.

“We’re hurting, but people everywhere are hurting too,” Barry said. “It’s hard to ask people for money when they’re struggling.”

Still, he said, the society will do everything in its power to continue its mission of taking care of animals for people who cannot.

“I hope we’re wrong, but our expectation is that the numbers (of COVID-19 cases) will be increasing,” Barry said. That could mean pet owners being hospitalized, including those who don’t have anyone to take care of their pets, he added.

“We’ll take care of (the pets) if there’s nobody else to take care of them,” Barry said.

As for the modified adoption process, all that folks looking to adopt a pet need to do is go to www.hsfn.org, click on the “adopt” link, then select available cats, dogs or small animals.

Photos of each available animal will appear with their current name, approximate age, gender and breed. After viewing them, contact the society at 889-2275 to make an appointment with an adoption counselor.

Meanwhile, dog walkers, groomers and pet sitters are likewise dealing with the challenges the COVID-19 threat is posing to them and their businesses.

Dorinne Whynott, owner of Professional Pet Sitting Etc., said Tuesday that cancellations and cutbacks in visits have outweighed booking requests exponentially since COVID-19 descended.

“All our vacation clients have cancelled, and a lot of midday walks have stopped as well,” Whynott said, referring to families who for years used her service when they went on vacation.

The need for midday dog walking dropped considerably, she added, because many people are now working from home.

Whynott, who founded Professional Pet Sitting Etc. in 1990, said she and her staff have always made safety and health precautions a priority, but they’ve stepped things up considerably once it became apparent the COVID-19 threat isn’t going away anytime soon.

Employees wipe down everything from leashes, doorknobs and any surfaces they may touch when they go to clients’ homes to walk their dogs or otherwise tend to their pets.

“We’re practicing social distancing, which isn’t much of a problem because people aren’t usually home when we go,” Whynott said.

Because of the possibility – although as yet unproven – that animals may be able to carry the virus from person to person, playing with any animals is always followed by a vigorous hand-washing session, and if gloves are used, they’re discarded, she added.

For more information, contact Whynott at profpetsit@aol.com or go to www.profpetsit.com.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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