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In recognition of Animal Care and Control Association Week, Suffolk Animal Care would like to remind citizens that “while you can’t buy love, you can rescue it!”

“This week of appreciation is designed to give recognition to the hard-working men and women of Animal Care and Control and to thank them for the important services they provide to our community,” states to a city press release Monday.

Even though the Suffolk Animal Care Center is currently closed to the public until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, staff are still working to find “forever homes” for the many animals making that location their temporary home. The need has been even greater since their popular Adopt-A-Thons were canceled, the press release states.

Potential pet owners can reach out to Suffolk Animal Care by phone at 514-7855. Staff are available to take calls, handle rescue transfers and owner redemptions, and to facilitate adoption efforts by appointment only.

Information on adoptable animals is available on their website, suffolkva.us/153/Animal-Control. Their Facebook page is also kept current with information about stray pets that have been found, in addition to adoptable pets, the press release states.

Those that see a pet on either the Suffolk Animal Care website or Facebook page that they’re interested in adopting should call and speak with a staff member, who will be available to answer any questions.

Suffolk Animal Care can also arrange pet adoptions over the phone without a meet-and-greet, and can schedule a time for the pet to be picked up by the new adopter.

“Rescued animals make people better,” the press release states. “Since many are currently working from home, this is also a perfect opportunity to bring a new pet into your life, as it is easier to familiarize them with their new surroundings and to share that important bonding experience.”

Suffolk Animal Care is located at 124 Forest Glen Drive. Visit suffolkva.us/153/Animal-Control or facebook.com/SuffolkAnimalCare for more information.

The Suffolk Humane Society office at 412 Kings Fork Road is also assisting pet owners during the coronavirus pandemic. Currently, the Suffolk Humane Society office itself is open only by appointments for food, surrenders and adoptions. Appointments can be made by calling 538-3030, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April dates for the Virginia Beach SPCA “Neuter Scooter” at the Suffolk Humane Society location have been canceled, but reservations are still being accepted for May dates, Suffolk Humane Society Executive Director Kerri Shallcross said Tuesday. The Neuter Scooter offers low-cost spay-and-neuter surgeries, vaccinations and select preventive medications.

People are also encouraged to support the Suffolk Humane Society by becoming members themselves.

“In order for us to continue helping our community, we depend on donations — either by regular donations or by memberships,” Shallcross said in a phone interview Tuesday. “We thank everybody who has donated or has become a member already.”

Visit suffolkhumanesociety.com for more information.