Covid 19 had many negative effects, however a “paw”sitive result of the quarantine, was an uptick in pet adoptions. Pandemic puppies and kittens were joining families in packs and litters. According to a Nielsen survey in July, 20% of those surveyed said they had adopted a new pet. That number was up from 5% the previous year. After all, by working from home, families now had time to care for and train their new found friends, and folks definitely benefited from the companionship these furry friends provided.
Now, with hope from the vaccine, people will slowly start going back to work. What can families do to ensure that their family pets will be safe at home and not run the risk of ending up back in a shelter?
- Tips from websites like kristenlevine.com offer guides on easing the transition for pets with pet parents returning to work outside the home.
- Keeping up with care for these new family pets is important to end the cycle of strays. Places like the San Antonio Humane Society offer low cost care options in a variety of services like spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccines, and more. (Make sure to call for an appointment, as this organization is still operating on a limited capacity basis.)
- For families who are still looking to adopt, that service is being provided through a “no contact” adoption process.
Protecting adopted animals while owners head back to work is important to prevent them from running astray. Pet parents should work on making a routine and creating a safe space for their pet before the work schedule changes. One of the Kristen Levine tips will help to alleviate anxieties pets may have that could cause them to get out of the yard or engage in destructive behaviors that could cause property damage. Pet surrenders sometimes come from pet parents who feel overwhelmed and as though they don’t have any support.
Give the new relationship your family has forged with your pet some time, and know that there are resources available to help ease the changes likely to happen with the shift back to work outside of the home. Pets will be missing their humans, but with resources, training and guidance your family will continue to strengthen the bond with felines and fidos.