Staff and volunteers cheer as kennel is emptied for the first time ever

Face mask-clad workers at an animal shelter in Florida were filmed clapping and cheering after the facility emptied its cages for the first time ever amid a coronavirus-driven spike in pet adoptions.

Staff and volunteers at one of Friends of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control’s three kennels celebrated the happy occasion in a heart-warming clip that has since gone viral.

“This amazing milestone was made possible by the help and support of our entire community!” the group wrote on Facebook. “Thank you to the shelter staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to care for, find homes for, and advocate for the pets who come through these doors.”

“Thank you to our incredible foster parents who open their heart and homes to thousands of pets each year,” it continued. “Thank you to everyone who has opted to adopt a shelter pet – whether it be here or from any of the other amazing organizations out there; thank you to our placement partner organizations far and wide – without them, this would not be possible.”

Empty Kennel

An incredible and joyful thing happened today….For the first time in the history of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, we have completely emptied one of our three dog kennels!This amazing milestone was made possible by the help and support of our entire community! Thank you to the shelter staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to care for, find homes for, and advocate for the pets who come through these doors; thank you to our incredible foster parents who open their heart and homes to thousands of pets each year; thank you to everyone who has opted to adopt a shelter pet – whether it be here or from any of the other amazing organizations out there; thank you to our placement partner organizations far and wide – without them, this would not be possible.Let's keep the momentum going and good vibes flowing! We still have dogs available for adoption or foster in our main kennel, along with a few adoptable cats, two adoptable horses, and Charlotte the adoptable pig. If you are interested in fostering or adopting, please visit our website to view our available pets and submit an application online: www.pbcgov.com/snap.Pictured in this video: Shelter staff celebrating in Kennel Two, the shelter's stray housing kennel and adoption overflow kennel. There are 48 double-sided in runs in each of the three kennel buildings at the shelter.#C2Z #shelterdogs #adopt #foster #PBCACC #RescueProud #GetYourRescueOn

Posted by Friends of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Friends of Palm Beach County Animal Care staff added that its main kennel is still housing a few dogs, several cats, two horses and a pig named Charlotte, who are all still up for adoption.

Last month, reports began circulating that many pet shelters in major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, were running out of cats and dogs as bored people in quarantine sought out animal companionship.

If you’re considering the major, but rewarding, commitment, check out the ASPCA’s local rescue pet finder tool here.

If you enjoyed this story, learn more about the recent spike in pet fostering and adoptions.

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