Adopting a pet during COVID, can be challenging. The isolation felt by those who are on their own each and every day, with no children or no spouse/partner, can impact ones mental/emotional health, elevating anxieties about things that previously were of no real consequence. A pet companion is often just the prescription necessary to restore a sense of balance, a sense of normal to the day-to-day of navigating the COVID life.
I had to say good-bye to a geriatric dog during the pandemic; I then went on to bring a new puppy into my home during a pandemic. I must have lost my mind! The challenge of pet loss during COVID was stressful because I didn’t know if I could be with Mr. Digby, the 17 year old Australian Silky Terrier who crossed Rainbow Bridge on 5 June 2020. Thankfully, I was able to attend as he drew his last breath.
Mr. Malcolm, the now 8 month old Havanese terrier, took over at Chez Rockwell at 8 weeks. Life as I knew it would change forever. He was introduced to the crate his very first night and so began his routine of learning the way of things with a geriatric Maltese showing him how it’s to be done. During COVID, he received all required vaccinations, was neutered and had a dewclaw removed. We both survived and thrive.
I’ve always stuck closely to a daily routine so have not been particularly impacted COVID isolation though I do empathize with those who are struggling with a severely curtailed social connection. That has to be frustrating beyond measure. Work at home has become the norm for so many and the adjustment to change of place to do the business required to earn their daily bread demands a commitment to changing course and sticking to it — at least for the foreseeable future. That’s the way of the world in these COVID times. Many work-at-home men and women, both young and old, have made or are making the decision to adopt a pet. Strict adherence to routine is critical to house training. Mr. Malcolm is 99% reliable.
Sadly, some people who are really struggling with significant change in circumstance are finding themselves having to make decisions about pets they already have. Diminished financial health alters how one may view status of pets and their own happiness. Many are anxious about ability to properly care for pets with less funds, sometimes believing, often erroneously, that surrendering is what’s best for the dog or cat. Sadly, what that does is increase the burden on animal shelters, many of which will not euthanize healthy animals, given their goal is to place them in safe, permanent homes. Key concern is food — kibble and canned food that covers all age ranges of cats and dogs, rabbits, and other small, caged pets.
Animal shelters are struggling to meet the demands of costs associated with food, supplies and regular vet care, relying on donations of goods and cash. Their needs don’t suddenly stop because of COVID — animals still need to be fed and kept safe. As we are able, it’s important for us to do our part to ensure that local shelters are kept up and running and those creatures in their care will have their daily needs met. Many who have lost jobs or are living on considerably reduced incomes are burdened on several fronts and it’s important as part of our compassionate care of community that we contribute what we can, when we can.
As we learned about COVID and its impact on our daily lives there were reports that dogs could transmit the virus. That finding turned out to be inconclusive but people were afraid, surrendering pets and burdening shelters. Some were simply dumping their pets, left to free roam, posing community risk and increasing costs associated to rounding them up and ‘doing’ something about them. Once animals with loving homes, they were street prey or predator. Sad.
One way people are demonstrating their compassionate care is the number of pet food banks that are cropping up across the country, often located in supermarkets. Perhaps there is need for one in your area. A group of like minded friends, in consultation with local shelters and vets would do much to alleviate pet care concerns for so many, especially seniors who have relied for years on the companionship of their Fluffy or Scamp. It might be worth a call to your local supermarket to see if you and a group of friends could set up a pet food collections and donation kiosk.
So, sit. Stay. Call some friends to organize a pet food drive.
Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell
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