During the COVID-19 pandemic, animals were being adopted at such a high rate that some shelters were running out of adoptable animals. These animals are now trying to adjust to life without their owners who are starting to leave for work and school again. At Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville, Executive Director Anne Schmidt said their shelter was nearly empty at the beginning of the pandemic because of the rise in demand to adopt. Schmidt said their shelter pre-pandemic held up to 20 to 60 dogs and puppies and 20 to 60 kittens and cats. âWe also saw a lot of families wanting puppies,â Schmidt said. âThis makes sense since most families were working from home and had the time commitment necessary for training a puppy.â