ADOPTION
CRAZE
An insight into the sudden surge of pet adoptions during COVID
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othing compares to the feeling of cuddling with an animal companion that supplies unconditional affection. That connection has brought many people comfort and companionship during quarantine, leading to the 55% increase of pet adoptions worldwide. Leonor Delgado, an education manager at the Palo Alto Humane Society, has experienced firsthand the rapid increase in prospective adopters. “The Palo Alto Humane Society has gotten to the point where people wait weeks to adopt dogs or cats,” Delgado said. The surge has left shelters with the number of available animals dwindling while the number of people on the waitlist continues to rise. Shelters around the world are working together to tackle this issue. Places with an excess of animals— who would normally be abandoned or euthanized—are redistributing their animals to combat the shortages. “I have contact with rescuers all over the country and all over the world, and [other shelters] are sending the animals who would’ve been doomed to other places,” Delgado said. This collaboration has allowed locals like Paly math teacher Steve Marsheck to finally adopted a puppy. “The dog was originally from Mexico, but was taken up to the US by the rescue agency,” Marsheck said. “We adopted it in the US just like any other dog.” Though animal shortages are being supplemented from other countries, people are still being waitlisted. Sophomore Michelle Pan was waitlisted while trying to get her German Shep-
herd, Kylo, and was only able to adopt and separation from friends continues to him because of a last minute cancella- become a major problem. Pets provide us tion. with company and friendship in a time “We weren’t expecting to get our dog when people desperately crave it. so early,” Pan said. “My brother and I Sophomore Z Malik has found comwere very excited to meet [Kylo].” fort in the loving connection he shares COVID-19 has also changed inter- with his emotional support dog. “You actions during the pet adoption process. can see that they’re intricate enough to Shelters are adapting to coronavirus reg- understand [your] emotions and yet they ulations and enforcing social still love you,” Malik said. distancing protocols However, while animals when meeting a have immense potential to potential owner. support people, pet own“An animal is a way “ B e f o r e ers also need to make of support, and in terms COVID, the sure their animals are of physiology effect, petshelter was being well cared for. ting and cuddling with open for visits, There are potential animals lowers blood and if somecomplications of pets adpressure and makes one was interopted during quarantine, people feel better.” ested in getting to such as the development Leanor Delgado, Palo Alto know a specific animal of separation anxiety. BeHumane Society or animals better, they fore the pandemic, people were allowed supervised would leave their houses to visiting time with that ango to work and attend school, imal or animals,” Delgado said. Now, forcing animals to learn how to be alone. adoptions happen on a more individual Now that people are home with pets basis and much communication happens 24/7, experts are concerned that it may online, sometimes making it harder to adversely affect the pet’s mental health connect with potential animals. when people return to normal life. But despite all the struggles of adopt“Some people are suggesting that you ing, for many the wait is worth it. The can introduce your pets to other people, monotonous way of life is driving people maintain social distance and use different to the eventfulness of pet ownership and people to walk the dog,” Delgado said. the mental health benefits that come with The pandemic has taken its toll on it. both animals and humans alike, but the “An animal is a way of support, and relationship between pet and owner conin terms of physiology effect, petting and tinues to strengthen over quarantine with cuddling with animals lowers blood pres- every passing moment. sure and makes people feel better,” Del“It’s like having a baby that can move gado said. and bite,” Marsheck said. “But it’s also As we push through the mandated wonderful to snuggle or take a nap with social isolation, student’s mental health them.”
