With the recent pandemic, it’s no secret that everyone around the world was forced into isolation, and spent most of their days at home. Within this time, the demand for animals rose and many families and individuals adopted pets online.
Sure, this is all great for some, but for others, the commitment was made on a whim. Many are worried that families have not considered the long term commitment it takes to own a pet, and once lockdown is over, their lives will continue on as normal, forgetting to care for them.
Upon returning to work, and the normality of life, these pets will be left alone and not paid as much attention to. In many major cities, there were over 4,000 reports of abandoned pets, with struggling charities and adoptive families forced to fix all that was broken. Many vets have been watching the recent surges in online pet adoptions and are worried about the welfare of these pets in the long term. Studies have shown that the demand for pets increased 51% within the months of July to September of last year. Some suggest that some pets might struggle to cope with the separation of their parents once life returns to normal.
Of course, for many adopting a pet is a serious decision and one that’s made correctly, but there are plenty of cases where this isn’t true. Along with a pandemic, depression and other mental health issues arise, and sometimes a pet is a perfect way to cope. As long as new dog parents understand that this is an incredible opportunity for a lifelong bond, instead of an easy fix to the ranging pandemic, adopting a pet is a perfect choice.
Feature Image Source: Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA