Local animal shelters offering virtual pet adoptions

ORLANDO, Fla. — Looking to add a new furry friend to your family? The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and Orange County Animal Services are offering virtual adoptions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Both shelters said adoptions will be conducted through the Zoom app. The virtual meet and greet is designed to introduce potential adopters to a pet in a shelter or in foster care.

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando said to set up a virtual meet and greet to follow the contact instructions on a shelter pet’s adoption profile located at the bottom of their page.

Read: Coronavirus: New IRS site helps some to file for stimulus check

Shelter staff or a Pet Alliance volunteer who is currently fostering will inform the adopters of any specific requirements regarding the dog or cat, according to its website.

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando said to expect these questions to see if the adoption is a good fit:

• Do you have other pets?
• Do you have children either in the home or who visit a lot?
• Do you have breed or pet restrictions where you live?

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando said it will give potential adopters as much time as possible within the appointment to see and interact with the pet.

To view adoptable pets, click here.

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando said all adoptions are first come, first served.

Orange County Animal Services is also offering virtual adoptions.

OCAS is Central Florida’s first county-run entity to do so. It launched the program on Facebook.

“It has been available for 24 hours and we've already had 74 people reach out. We’re amazed,” said Diane Summers.

To adopt a pet, click on the virtual album on the OCAS Facebook page where there is a selection of pets who have been cleared for immediate adoption.

The pets have already been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped.

If one of the pets catches your eye, you can complete a form and set up a virtual meet and greet.

To view pets available for adoption, click here.

Coronavirus outbreak: What you need to know Coronavirus outbreak: What you need to know

Cox Media Group