The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on all of us. The virus created a new normal where people had to make several adjustments to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by lockdowns. People began working at home, having online classes, and socializing over the internet to help curb the spread of the virus. However, some are having difficulties managing their anxiety during this time, resulting in varying remedies.
Fighting Isolation With Dogs
Having a pet at home may provide some positivity during this difficult situation, and dogs are one of the best pets that we can have to ease our loneliness. The number of people experiencing loneliness is increasing, as well as the demand for dog adoption. Some dog shelters have emptied due to a massive surge of adoptions during this time.
The Struggles of Dog Adoptions
Unfortunately, not all dog adoptions go well. Here are some reasons why:
Improper Diet
Many owners are unable to provide basic needs, such as shelter, food, and exercise. There are also dog owners who feed their pets too much, resulting in the dog being overweight. To address this problem, dog owners can provide weight loss dog food to balance the dog’s diet while still providing enough nutrition. However, not all are given this liberty.
High Adoption Fees
The struggle for finding dogs for adoption is getting more difficult because adoption fees are also increasing in price. There are reports that costs can reach as high as $1,800, and there have been thousands of online applications for adopting dogs.
Before the pandemic, shelters would wait for people to adopt pets and consider it as a big problem in their system. Currently, it seems like the reverse is true, with many shelters having a shortage of lost and surrendered animals. The trend also increased during stage three and four of restrictions.
Long Wait Times
The dilemma of long wait times for adoptions can increase the adopter’s stress and anxiety, leading some to buy a dog from a breeder rather than wait for their chance to adopt. Rescues also have a difficult time sustaining the demand due to the state’s social distancing regulations.
Limited Vet Visits
Another problem that dog owners need to face is vet visits. State restrictions prohibit elective surgeries that take place in veterinary clinics. The prohibition suspended all vaccination, vet check-ups for pets in most parts of the world. Dog owners do not want to risk their pets not being vaccinated, especially if they are carrying any potential diseases or infections.
Work Resumption
People who successfully adopted dogs during the lockdown may have a hard time working when office work resumes. Dog shelters are expecting people to surrender their dogs when restrictions ease. Experts are suggesting dog owners create a routine for their dogs in preparation for the resumption of work in the office. They can train them to sleep by themselves or feed them in a different area away from you. Dog owners can also train their dogs to entertain themselves, especially if they are away for longer periods of time.
Key Takeaways
People should consider their pet’s stress and anxiety, as it may develop during the lifting of restrictions. Most people need to go back to work to sustain a livelihood. Dog owners should know how to return the favor to their dogs and relieve them of their stress in the same way that dogs do for their owners.
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