Toiletries aren’t the only hot commodity during the ongoing pandemic—one Orange County animal shelter says pets are being adopted at an unusually high rate as people seek furry companionship during the lockdown. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter has seen an uptick in adoptions in recent months, said Laguna Beach Police department civilian services administrator Jim Beres. “Adoptable animals in general are in short supply right now because as soon as they become available, the animal shelters have a lot of interest from the public to adopt them,” Beres told The Epoch Times via email. “People actually have their computers or phones set up to alert them when an animal becomes available for adoption at the local animal shelters.” The heightened demand for pets contrasts with a decrease in animals abandoned at the shelter. Beres said it’s possible the pandemic has strengthened owners’ commitment to their four-legged companions. “Since the COVID-19 …