Meet Charlotte’s pandemic pets

Big picture: Nationwide and locally, pet adoptions have soared during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Humane Society of Charlotte re-homed almost 3,000 animals in 2020, that’s up from 2019. So far, 2021 adoption rates have stayed consistent with 2020.

• In March 2020 alone HSC’s adoption rate increased by 18% compared to March 2019.

Animal Care & Control felt the increase in adoptions too. The shelter achieved “no kill” status for the first time by getting 90% of its animals adopted.

• That’s a big deal any year, but especially during a pandemic. Plus, unlike nonprofit rescue groups, AC&C has to accept all stray and surrendered animals.

What they say: Nicci Dresden adopted a new cat from Animal Care & Control with her husband at the beginning of the pandemic. After putting down one of their older cats, Dresden says Zion, their new addition, has kept their other cat young and helped brighten their spirits during a tough year.

“It ended up being the best thing we could’ve done for the older cat,” she says. “Entertaining him and getting him acclimated kind of distracted us from the craziness going on in the world a little bit.”

 Here are some of the pandemic pets making life a little brighter for Charlotteans.

Zion, 3, is a “character.” He loves to meow when his dad is on conference calls and play with his older brother, Mo.

Daisy, 2, is best friends with her (human) sister, Alice.

Crush, 8 months, is a golden retriever puppy who likes hanging out at Devil’s Logic.

Sutton, 1, is a mini golden doodle named after one of his owner’s favorite spots in Chapel Hill, Sutton’s Drug Store.

Ellie, 1, knows how to smile and loves playing with her friends at Skiptown.

Arthur, 1, has great manners. He waits to eat until his owners tell him “bon appetit.”

Nina, 9 months, is a Shetland Sheepdog. She loves carrying big sticks and cuddles.

Chispa, 1, has lived up to his name, which means spark in Spanish.

Jewels, 8 months, is full of energy. Her name is short for Juliet, which goes along with her brother’s name, Romeo.

Sunny, 11 months, got his name after surviving a tough start in life but keeping an upbeat demeanor though it all.

Luna, 1, likes to steal her mom’s pillows at bedtime.

Wynn, 1, is a boxer/lab mix who likes sleeping with her tongue out.

Rickie, 1, is named after his owners’ favorite golfer, Rickie Fowler.

Andy, 1.5, known for his human-like expressions, sits on his mom’s lap all day while she works — then he loses his mind when his dad gets home at the end of the day.

Penny, 1, won’t be pleased when her mom and dad have to go to the office more regularly.

Lucy, 7 months, lives with two empty nesters, so she runs the show.

(Editor’s note: Jewels and Lucy are the pups of the authors’ parents).