New Kensington's Animal Protectors works through coronavirus constraints

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is temporarily off limits to walk-in traffic because of coronavirus concerns, but the New Kensington shelter is continuing to do adoptions by appointment.

Construction of the shelter’s nearly completed new home along Church Street, however, has ceased because of the state’s orders to stop nonessential building projects, according to Phyllis Framel, acting president of the shelter’s board.

The nonprofit, which relies on donations and grants, also recently canceled its popular “Chocolate Paws” fundraiser at River Forest Country Club and others could be in jeopardy, Framel said.

“We will continue to perform our mission for the animals here in the Valley — that is, rescue stray, abused, injured and abandoned animals; get them the medical care they need; and find loving homes,” Framel said.

But she added, “No one knows what the future holds.”

Appointments are being spread out to limit the number of people at the shelter, and meet-and-greets with dogs are taking place outdoors in an attempt to limit the spread of covid-19, Framel said.

Available pets can be viewed on Animal Protectors’ website.

The shelter will be closed to walk-in traffic until further notice, but staffers are continuing to work and take care of the shelter’s animals, Framel said.

“The dogs need to be fed and walked several times a day. Some dogs and cats need to be medicated. They need to be socialized and loved. You just can’t not do that,” she said.

Because of the operating constraints, Framel said she’s glad the shelter isn’t filled to capacity.

It is housing about a dozen dogs and 13 cats, which Framel said is “way down, thank goodness.”

Animal shelters across the region are facing similar challenges, with several others telling the Tribune-Review that they have cut programming, canceled fundraising events and moved to appointment-only adopting in response to the coronavirus crisis.