It is said that the human species needs a sense of affection and what better way to get affection than from man’s best friend, your dog. Since the pandemic hit and closures started to occur across Canada people were not able to leave their homes. Being constantly at home due to the stay at home order made people feel lonely as socializing is not allowed. Canadians had to adjust to working from home. People saw their mental health plummet and with added time to their schedule and being constantly at home many thought an addition to their family as reasonable.
Canadians have noticed that they needed a furry companion to help them through the pandemic. Animal organizations across Canada started to see the demand for rescue animals at the start of the pandemic.
An employee from Dog Tales rescue and sanctuary, Jessica Coolidge said, “There was a great increase in adoption applications at the beginning of COVID a year ago. Now we are seeing a great influx of surrenders of dogs less than a year old. This certainly isn't ideal for the dogs.”
Image credit, Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary
In Canada, the numbers for buying/adopting a animals have had a jump increase especially with dogs. With the Ontario lockdown many people are doing work/school from home and having more time on their hands that usual. A Lot of people adopted a dog for company during the pandemic and the harsh fact is they do not have time to take care of it once things resume back to normal. Selfishly there were many surrenders to the animal rescue group.
Dog Tales rescue and sanctuary is now closed due to COVID and all animals are staying put. Employee Jessica stated that if someone wanted to adopt they have to go through a wait period. “We have significantly adapted our adoption process. Usually our intake of dogs relies greatly on international rescue which is difficult with closed borders. We have used this time to carefully spend time matching applicants with our long-term residents who require a lot of patience and commitment from adoptees prior to being sent home.”
Silvana Tirone a recent dog owner in Toronto, Ontario has felt the wrath of COVID. “This pandemic hurt a lot of businesses and people including myself. I had to get use to working from home, I had to cut out my social life and the worst was not being able to see my family. I caught myself having more time on my hands than usual and I was thinking of adopting a dog. I realized it was a lot of work and dedication even after all of this is over, I was thinking am I still going to be able to handle this big decision I am making?”
Silvana had to consider the fact that she might not be able to have time for a dog. Silvana Tirone works in Toronto, Ontario at a Insurance branch. She works full time and was concerned that when the government opens lockdown once again she will not be spending enough time with her dog.
After Silvana did some research and thinking for several weeks she finally made her life changing decision.
Meet Charlotte a French Bulldog Mix.
Silvana adopted a French bull dog mix at the Etobicoke Human Society. She named her Charlotte. Not much information was given about the dogs background expect the fact that she was given to the clinic with severe rashes. The Human Society told Silvana that she was most likely given away because her previous owners couldn't handle the medical costs.
Silvana, “I felt this was the right time for me to get a pup and I wasn’t just thinking about myself, I wanted to give a dog a second chance in life. I wanted to change this dog's life for the better, and I did”
Silvana saw the perfect opportunity in her life to adopt a dog and to be able to care for it even past the pandemic. She saw a chance to give the dog a better life and she took it. Silvana also saw the health benefits for herself and her new dog. She had to take on the responsibility to take the dog on walks, play fetch, socialize her, take care of her health and most importantly smothering her dog with affection. With the lockdown in place not too much is available to do. Having the huge responsibility to take your dog out to pee forces people out of their homes and get some exercise and vitamin D.
Silvana, "During the pandemic I’ve seen people on social media get dogs whether it's adopted or from a breeder and post their new dog all over Instagram then when the lockdown is starting to open up you don’t see their dogs any more. The harsh reality is they can’t take care of it and they end up giving it away. That animal was a part of your family, it was there for you when you wanted a companion and now since things are getting back to normal, they give the animal up. How someone can do that I will never understand.”
Silvana wishes she could help more dogs that are in need of a home and a loving family. She tell everyone who is considering getting a dog to adopt sine there are thousands of pets in the shelter.
The blue chart (2019) shows the percentage of animal adoptions in Canada throughout the 2019 year. Each month shows how high or low the percentage of adoption was for that month.
The purple chart (2020) shows the percentage of animal adoptions in Canada throughout the 2020 year. Each month shows how high or low the percentage of adoption was for that month.
2019 was when COVID was just starting out. As you compare the two charts you can see the significant increase in people wanting animals in the year 2020.
Before buying an animal or adopting people have to think about which dog to adopt/buy and what they can handle. Many dogs are easy to care for but others can have birth defects or can be disabled which leads to more attention and care towards that dog. Adoption is fairly inexpensive but depending the breed issues can arise and get very expensive for the owner.
Image credit, Google Images
To conclude, animals should be cared for and treated as a member of the family. Many people are failing according to Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary since they are no longer able to care for their animal after the lockdown and need to surrender them. For this reason it is now becoming harder for someone in the future to adopt as rescue centers are tightening their list and asking more questions for the owners to see if they are suitable for a new addition to their family. But for people like Silvana Tirone, she is trying to give her newly adopted puppy a second chance at life and a new forever home.
If you are interested in adopting an animal it is important that you do your research and have all the necessities. This is a long term commitment and is an addition to the family which should be loved unconditionally.
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