{"id":8421,"date":"2020-05-10T13:09:49","date_gmt":"2020-05-10T17:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/?p=8421"},"modified":"2020-05-10T13:09:50","modified_gmt":"2020-05-10T17:09:50","slug":"35-decrease-in-pet-adoptions-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/index.php\/2020\/05\/10\/35-decrease-in-pet-adoptions-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"35% Decrease in Pet Adoptions During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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FRAMINGHAM – As the world continues to navigate through a new reality, animal shelters across the U.S. are encouraging Americans to remember the nation\u2019s pet population which remains vulnerable and in-need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelters from coast-to-coast are working together to raise awareness of the need for, and benefits of, pet adoption as they prepare for a surge in animals that will require permanent homes when the pandemic eventually subsides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the number of animals in foster care has increased by over 35 percent since mid-March, national data collected by\u00a024Pet\u00ae ShelterWatch\u00a0<\/em>points to challenges post-pandemic due to an anticipated increase in animals entering shelters which, due to temporary restrictions in place, are currently unable to be taken in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The problem will further be exacerbated if animals who are currently being fostered are returned to the shelters as people go back to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite many shelters reducing their capacity and some even closing to the public in light of the current pandemic, at least 105,126 new animals have arrived in the 1,191 shelters monitored in the\u00a024Pet\u00ae ShelterWatch Report\u00a0<\/em>since the start of the pandemic. That figure contrasts with 212,733 that arrived during the same period last year\u00a0\u2013<\/strong>\u00a0a 51 percent decline due to the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile we\u2019re heartened by the overwhelming interest in fostering during this uncertain time, the numbers point to a challenging few months and years ahead if we can\u2019t find permanent homes for the animals coming into shelters and in foster care,\u201d said Michelle Cole, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Pethealth Inc., parent company of 24PetWatch. \u201cAs we look to improve the long-term outcomes for these animals, we are calling on all Americans to consider the benefits of adopting a pet including a reduction in stress levels, an increase in physical activity, and the benefits that come with companionship and the unconditional love pets provide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By the numbers: Statistics on the U.S. pet population comparing March 13 \u2013 April 26, 2020 to the same period in 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelters across the country are working tirelessly to cope with the impact of the pandemic and prepare for an anticipated surge in animals entering shelters post-pandemic. Data collected from the 1,191 shelters tracked by 24PetWatch <\/em>have uncovered the following trends and insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n