While many people are concerned for their own needs because of the current pandemic, Cheryl Rosenthal is concerned for the animals in the shelter.

Rosenthal is the manager at the Oshkosh Area Humane Society, where they have adapted to continue to adopt out animals. She has been on overdrive, working tirelessly with potential adopters and accepting new pets, despite limits on the amount of people allowed to come into the shelter.

But Rosenthal has a solution:  “Dog adoptions are by appointment only and paperwork is being filled out by people finding a stray or surrendering their pet via email or outside of the building.”

As infection rates are continually growing high in the area, the staff is working twice as hard to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and continuing to clean and disinfect all areas of the shelter to keep it as safe as possible for the employees, customers and pets. Rosenthal can expect to see many cats and dogs joining the Humane Society. She explained how there have been just as many cats in the shelter, but definitely fewer dogs, which is always good news. Rosenthal is as loyal to the shelter as a dog is to its owner.

Barbara Lipson, leader of the 4Paws Rescue Team, told the USA Today that her shelter typically has 30 to 40 adopted pets return each year and that she expects that number to double or triple due to COVID-19.

With this information from Lipson, citizens of Neenah can assume that with the recent spikes in cases, animal shelters in the area will be greatly increasing in residency.

Because of precautions taken to avoid COVID-19, the Humane Society is not taking any temporary volunteers. Rosenthal, however, mentioned that they are still receiving steady support from the community through donations and adoption sponsorships. Yet, there are some things that the Humane Society could use, to keep up good health safety and maintain the animals.

The Oshkosh Area Humane Society is in desperate need of paper towels, toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, canned cat and dog food, dry cat and dog food, gift cards, and monetary donations. Most of all, the Oshkosh Area Humane Society calls upon the community to bring home new friends. They have cats, dogs and other small animals available. Check out Braveheart, the mixed breed dog, or Daiquiri the cat on the OAHS website.

People can make an appointment at OAHS or the Neenah Animal Shelter. Be a saint and adopt today!