The Ugly Effect of COVID-19: ‘Pandemic Pets’
Hi Readers!
This blog post is an emotional appeal rather than an opinion piece. As you must have guessed from the headline of this post that this blog is going to be more about Animal Rights. It is also about reflecting on the ‘ugly trend’ of pet abandonment emerging as people are surrendering ‘pandemic pets’ to shelters, now that restrictions are slowly getting lifted and people are heading back to their ‘new normal’ lives.
Let’s first understand what I mean by ‘pandemic pets’. So, what essentially was a byproduct of pandemic is that there was a rise in pet adoption/purchasing during the pandemic. However, as COVID-19 restrictions are being eased and people head back to offices for their jobs, the pets being adopted during the pandemic (the so-called ‘pandemic pets’) are being returned to shelters. Here, we need to acknowledge the fact that the pandemic still looms large, thus, the actual pet returns number would be much higher once the pandemic approaches its end and in the post-pandemic phase.
Separately, as an animal lover, past pet owner, and promoter of animal rights, this makes me feel anguished! So, what really happened in the pet adoption space since the advent of the pandemic? Let’s discuss!
Based on various research studies and news reports, there was an increase in pet adoption. Pandemic did actually enhance public interest in pet adoption. According to a study conducted in May 2021, there was an increase of global interest in pet adoption immediately after the World Health Organization declaration of the pandemic. The study conducted a Google Trends search using keywords related to pet adoption. Relative search volume (RSV) was scored between 0 and 100 for the lowest and the highest, respectively. Top countries contributing to the data set included Australia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
From 2015 through 2020, the observed global RSV for the categories of pet, dog and cat adoption peaked between April and May 2020 (the early epidemic phase of the pandemic). Interestingly, the interest in cat adoption remained sustainably high (somewhere 8 months on in the pandemic), possibly reflecting the feline acclimation to indoor living. The study concluded that the global interest in pet adoptions surged in the early phase of the pandemic but not sustainably.
Now that we might be approaching the end of the pandemic, or most importantly transitioning towards an equally deadly ‘endemic’ phase, global concern would be on more or less transmissible variants countered through vaccine trials targeting various variants as time progresses. However, that’s a separate topic for another blog!
Some news reports suggested that there was an increase in pet returns due to misjudgement on the part of pet owners regarding pet ownership costs. This data is specific to Ontario, Canada. So, what really increased pet adoption application rates? During the beginning of pandemic, people were self-isolating and working from home, the pandemic provided a window and presumably the best time to get a new pet and, for many, it was their first time doing so. The pet adoption applications have soared since the pandemic hit. Toronto Humane Society received over 11,000 applications during the first few months following the initial pandemic lock down. Similar spikes in pet adoption interest was noted by Action Volunteers for Animals, etc.
On the one hand, Credit Canada (a federal agency providing credit counseling) reported an increase in clients with debt issues who are new pet owners. Major cost heads for owning a pet is the fixed or rather sunk costs involving purchase or adoption fees for a pet. Then there are variable costs such as veterinary visits, training, grooming, pet sitting, dog-walking, and monthly food bills. Some pet owners may also choose to purchase pet insurance (30 dollars per month for cats and 40 dollars per month for dogs). This is an overhead cost but very much recommended as you never know when that unexpected emergency visit to veterinary center comes up!
On the other hand, for pets, sudden changes in lifestyle of the owner and separation resulted in higher rates of separation anxiety.
On the contrast, not every news is negative. There’s mixed news coming from the United States. On the one hand, new data survey released by the The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggested that overwhelming majority of pets (90 percent dogs and 85 percent cats) acquired during the pandemic remain in their homes and people are not returning pandemic pets in large quantities. That said, there are reports that US dog shelters are struggling with pet returns after pandemic adoption boom.
In Canada, the picture looks very grim. Although the pandemic pets emerged as a lifesaver to many Canadians during COVID-19 isolation, the shelter numbers i.e. pet returns are also increasing exponentially. The shelters are now reporting overcrowding.
In closing, pet owners (first time or second time or whatever time) need to be more aware of the important elements involved in buying pets such as pet budgeting, monthly cost estimation, for approximately 10 years on average, etc. Thus, having more time at home does not make everyone pet-ready! Doing detailed research before pet-adoption or buying is required to reduce pet abandonment. Pet owners need to deeply think about post-pandemic pet care and educate themselves about the different breeds, dog exercise requirements, dog size, pet temperament, and sociability, to name a few. In simple words, pet ownership is a big responsibility and should not be taken lightly. We all collectively must be more vigilant and responsible for our actions. We must safeguard animal rights and genuinely take interest in pet adoption and care. Perhaps, the way forward is provision of enhanced education and support to the pet owner(s). This will be key to minimizing the ugly trend of pet abandonment and rising separation anxieties reported among pets.
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