The COVID-19 pandemic has been a lonely time, which some people have coped with by welcoming a pet into their family. Pets have offered some people a feeling of love, security and reassurance in an unpredictable world.
As people are gearing up for a return to in-person workspaces, many may be wondering how this change will affect their furry friends.
Stress during transitions
With the transition back to in-person work, many dogs will experience high levels of anxiety and stress, according to an article by VCA Animal Hospitals which is a group of more than 130 small animal veterinary practices across Canada.
Owners can identify if their dogs are stressed through common body language signs, the article explains. These may include refusing treats, being more aggressive or having dilated pupils, a furrowed brow or ears held down or to the side.
Separation anxiety is something many dogs struggle with. According to the University of Melbourne’s research publication Pursuit, dogs suffering from separation anxiety most commonly bark, whine, scratch doors, have accidents indoors or try to escape. A study published in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Practice found one in every four to six dogs suffers from separation anxiety.
There are ways pet owners can minimize separation anxiety for their pets.
If the owner gradually removes themself from the home, it may allow pets to acclimate to being alone, founder of Ottawa-based Freedom Dog Rescue David Harding said.
Increase in pet adoptions over pandemic
Freedom Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization that rescues homeless and abandoned dogs, some who may be living in other shelters. The rescue also tries to find loving homes for these animals through fostering or adopting.
According to Harding, adoption applications were chaotic at the beginning of the pandemic.
“In some cases, there would be 50 applications for a single dog,” he said.
The high demand put a lot of pressure on the application team to find a safe home for their rescues, Harding explained. Some of this pressure stemmed from Freedom Dog Rescue’s time-consuming application review process—priding itself on its ability to carefully review each application.
Since September, applications have started to decline but numbers are still high, Harding said.
A recent study found there was a peak for cat and dog adoption interest in April 2020.
The study used Google Trends, a freely accessible database of internet searches, to research the use of keywords related to pet adoption.
In December 2020, interest in dog adoptions dropped to a level comparable to the five-year average from 2015 to 2020. The study explains this decrease followed the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.
Challenges shelters are facing
One problem that has arisen during the pandemic is the high number of dogs being surrendered to the rescue, Harding said. People may surrender their pets for numerous personal reasons, and surrendering a pet to a rescue can offer people a feeling of reassurance.
According to one article by National Geographic, overcrowding is an ongoing issue for animal shelters, including some in the United States. This issue from the U.S. is flowing into Canada. In June 2021, for example, a group of 20 dogs from the U.S. went to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society, iHeart Radio reported.
A recent study found many people may opt for short-term adoptions as they can relieve stress. Most of the time, satisfaction from pets comes in the early stages of their arrival, the study states.
Freedom Dog Rescue also found dogs that have been surrendered tend to have more medical and behavioural issues. A recent article by CBC explains many pets adopted during COVID-19 have worse behavioural patterns because they were not properly trained or socialized.
Even though adoption applications at Freedom Dog Rescue are high, the amount of dogs being surrendered after being adopted has not increased from pre-COVID times.
Harding explains that this is a good sign of the volunteers who work for the non-profit organization as they are making good matches for the pets, as well as for the families.
Though shelters are facing challenges, Harding said it is still better for owners looking to surrender their pets to a rescue rather than choosing to euthanize pets or sell them on Kijiji.
Those with pets at home
Lincoln Ross is a Grade 12 student at Governor Simcoe Secondary School in St. Catharines, Ont. During the pandemic, his family adopted two dogs, Cooper and Banks. He said his family chose to adopt the dogs to “help bring the family bond together.”
A 2020 study found interactions with pets lead to a variety of physiological and psychological benefits. “It also releases biochemicals which can further boost the immune system and enhance health and well-being,” the study reads.
Even though Ross’s dogs can keep each other company, being home alone can be quite stressful for them. Still, the transition to being more in-person hasn’t all been negative for Cooper and Banks because it has allowed them to be more social.
Ross said that now that restrictions are lifting, his dogs are able to be interactive with other dogs. This has positively impacted their behaviours.
Another 2020 study investigated links between mental health and loneliness, companion animal ownership and human-animal interactions. The study surveyed 5,926 people and found that nearly 90 per cent had at least one companion animal.
“Results from this survey suggest that companion animals constituted an important source of emotional support to owners in the Covid-19 lockdown,” the study states.
During the heat of the pandemic, people were wary about letting others get close to their dogs, but now Cooper and Banks are able to make new friends.
“They really like being able to meet other dogs and being able to play with them,” Ross said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dogs are able to contract COVID-19, but it is still uncertain whether they can pass it on to humans.
How to properly transition your pets
Learning how to adjust your pets to life away from home as stress-free as possible is ideal, according to Stephen Smith, communications manager at the Ottawa Humane Society.
According to an article by the Ottawa Humane Society, pets may experience relief, boredom, confusion, panic or stress when left alone at home. Some dogs may also enjoy their time alone, which may provide owners some reassurance and relief while they’re away.
It is best for pet owners to create a safe space with a comfy bed, safe chew toys, water and food, the article explained. If a dog is in a state of stress and discomfort, the owner can always talk to a veterinarian about a “qualified reward-based trainer.”
Another possibility is to have a dog walker, friend or family member come during the day to check on the pet and give them a break from being alone.
Harding said he leaves his radio on when he leaves his home to have the sound of people’s voices keep his furry friends company. His house is quite noisy and the radio provides a sense of familiarity for his three dogs.
According to the study by Frontiers in Veterinary Science, “it’s up to us to help our pets adjust to yet another ‘new normal’.” At the end of the day, pets are sensitive and alert creatures who need love and attention.
Overall, Ross said that he is excited to see his dogs being able to socialize.
“It will be good for my dogs to keep being able to play with other dogs as things with COVID continue to look up,” Ross said. “It’s really important for them to be able to play with other dogs.”
Even as the COVID-19 pandemic shifts work once again, it is important for owners to not leave their furry friends behind.
Featured image by Anya Swettenham.
