A funny thing happened as states shut down as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Animal shelters around the world saw a surge in pet adoptions. Market Watch reports that "many Americans have been coming forward to adopt or foster animals, since they plan to spend most of their time at home for the foreseeable future, anyway."
"There are certainly a lot of benefits to adopting a pet during COVID lockdown," Megan Marrs of the dog resource site K9 of Mine told Mom.com. "For one, families are spending a lot more time at home, offering plenty of opportunities to bond and train with a new dog."
Why families are adopting during the pandemic
The dos and don'ts of adopting a pet in uncertain times
Dr. Wendy Watts of Virginia Veterinary Centers in Richmond offered Mom.com the following checklist for potential new pet owners:
1. Do consider the cost. Financial commitments only begin with the adoption fee or cost of the pet. Your new family member is going to need quality food items, bedding/furniture, potentially litter boxes/litter, toys, collars/leashes. Will there be a need for outdoor accommodations, too? Will you need a fenced yard? Dog door?
2. Don't underestimate unexpected expenses. Veterinary costs can quickly soar beyond a typical household budget with any significant illness. Having an insurance policy can be helpful, but premiums are a cost that must be considered as well. Are you considering a puppy or kitten that may still need to complete its vaccine series?
3. Do plan for obtaining food and other supplies. This includes litter, bedding, and toys. There are delivery services of course, or are you close to a local pet store or grocery that will consistently stock what your pet needs?
4. Do pay careful attention to veterinary considerations. Many veterinarians have altered hours of operation these days or may not be taking new patients. Some are not doing routine or wellness visits – which could put your new young puppy or kitten at risk for infectious disease if you don’t have an alternate source for juvenile wellness visits. By the same token – puppy classes and socialization events are in short supply or unavailable now. What will be your plan for training and socialization?
5. Don't think short term. What about when the pandemic is over? Sure … you're working from home right now and can step away from the laptop and headset to take Rover for a walk at a moment's notice. But what about when you go back to work at the office, will you be coming home to walk him, will you hire a dog walker? Once the gym is open again, you will have options other than playing fetch in the yard, will you still devote the same amount of time to caring for your new pet that you were previously?
Stefan is still glad they decided to adopt during this time. "If you are able to make the commitment, now is probably as good a time as any, especially if you are working from home," he said. "It really helps them acclimate when you are home all day."
