POTSDAM -- If you are an animal lover and sheltering at home during the coronavirus, now may be a good time to adopt or foster a pet from a shelter. Or it may not be a good time, depending on your circumstances.

“Since we’re all spending more time at home, it’s a good time to start healthy training habits, form a bond, and get a new pet acclimated to your home,” says Petfinder.com.

Plus, with the COVID-19 restrictions, animal shelters are no longer able to accept volunteer help in the shelter, says Potsdam Humane Society veterinary technician Jessica Doty.

Now, the limited staff members have to do it all, walking the dogs daily, socializing with the cats, in addition to the health care, feeding and cleaning of the animals. “It’s a lot of additional work,” Doty said.

While adoption or fostering pets may now be a great time for some homebound people, it may not be for everyone. Families may be stressed being cooped up at home, juggling working from home and caring for children. Pets can be expensive and time-consuming.

Also, it may not be feasible to care for pets once owners go back to full-time work outside the home.

St Lawrence County animal shelters have made recent changes, due to COVID-19 crisis:

•Potsdam Humane Society

Although the Potsdam Humane Society is closed to the public, it is still allowing one visitor at a time who has been pre-approved for adoption or fostering. The online adoption application can be found on http://potsdamhumanesociety.org. After approval, an appointment is scheduled for a visit. Usually, the selected pet can go home the same day.

Potsdam’s shelter has about 20 dogs and 50 cats at this time. Call the shelter (315)265-3199 or email shelter@potsdamhumanesociety.org. for more information.

•Massena Humane Society

Also open by appointment only is Massena Humane Society., “Our facility will be closed to the general public but you can apply for adoption right over the phone. Once approved an appointment will be scheduled just for you. Call us at 315-764-1330 between 1-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and apply for adoption over the phone. Once approved, we will schedule an individual appointment for you,” instructs their Facebook page.

The shelter currently has 3 dogs, 5 cats, and even has a few free rabbits left.

•St. Lawrence Valley SPCA

The St. Lawrence Valley SPCA is not doing adoptions at this point. Their phone message instructs those in need of assistance for animal related issues to call the shelter at 315-393-5191.