People Adopt More Dogs During The Quarantine

The number of dog adoptions in the UK and the USA is growing during the coronavirus crisis. 

Animals shelter Battersea Dogs & Cats Home announced that 86 dogs and 69 cats were adopted between March 16 and March 22 - compared to 42 dogs and 29 cats over the same week in 2019. 

Animal charity All Dogs Matter from London has also confirmed the number of dog adoption requests has increased during the pandemic.  

Also, in the United States, the shelters are 'running out of dogs to foster' in New York and Los Angeles. Charities Muddy Paws Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society reported a significant spike in foster applications.

Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told The Daily Beast that the organisation had seen a nearly 70 per cent increase in animals going into foster care compared to the same time period in 2019.

With so many people forced to stay long days at home, a pet is a great companion, for singles, couples and families with kids. Social-distancing is the perfect time to have a temporary house guest. Any time away from a shelter is also good for an animal, and it's a great help for the shelter. Also, scientific evidence has shown that pets do not contract or transmit coronavirus.

"There's nothing quite like self-isolating with a dog or cat who is just hanging out and enjoying life with you," said Pam Wiese, spokesperson for the Nebraska Humane Society.

"There's this fun little thing where we call people who end up adopting their foster animal a 'failed foster,' when both pet and owner fall in love. It happens quite a bit," said Tiffany A. Lacey, executive director and president of the Animal Haven shelter in New York City. 

Bershadker added: "Animals provide invaluable comfort and companionship, especially during times of crisis—and they certainly appreciate the attention they get—so we encourage people to continue to adopt or temporarily foster animals in need." 

For now, this is good for everyone, the animals, the shelters, and for the new pet owners. 

But what happens when the quarantine finishes? 

Some shelters and animal-rights activists around the world are now concerned about this situation, stating 'a dog is for life, not just for quarantine'. 

The charities warn about a possible deluge of returned pets once the coronavirus crisis ends and people return to their normal lives.

Shelters are also concerned about their own existence after the crisis. Many rely on donations and fundraising to survive, both of which will become uncertain if a people's financial situation gets unstable due to jobs and income insecurities as a result of the crisis. 

Katy Hansen, spokesperson for the Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC), said she was "really nervous" about people returning animals once the coronavirus lockdown ends.

"I'm not just worried about foster animals coming back, but also people giving up their own pets because they've lost their jobs or income and can no longer afford them. It will be a tough situation all around. We're also encouraging people to look out for their neighbours, and if they get sick to look out for any pets, they have. Anything neighbors can do to prevent the surrendering of an animal would be great. I worry that we will be completely overwhelmed. We're just waiting. It's so nerve-wracking."

The shelters' workers and volunteers say that any kind of donation will help them to continue their work and no matter what happens they will still be caring for animals in need.

Currently, the shelters have been since closing public access to their facilities and animals due to the coronavirus lockdown. They will only 'accept rescue animals in emergencies'.