Adoption Craze

An insight into the sudden surge of pet adoptions during COVID

Nothing 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 Shepherd, Kylo, and was only able to adopt him because of a last minute cancellation.

“We weren’t expecting to get our dog so early,” Pan said. “My brother and I were very excited to meet [Kylo].”

COVID-19 has also changed interactions during the pet adoption process. Shelters are adapting to coronavirus regulations and enforcing social distancing protocols when meeting a potential owner.

“Before COVID, the shelter was open for visits, and if someone was interested in getting to know a specific animal or animals better, they were allowed supervised visiting time with that animal or animals,” Delgado said. Now, adoptions happen on a more individual basis and much communication happens online, sometimes making it harder to connect with potential animals.

But despite all the struggles of adopting, for many the wait is worth it. The monotonous way of life is driving people to the eventfulness of pet ownership and the mental health benefits that come with it.

“An animal is a way of support, and in terms of physiology effect, petting and cuddling with animals lowers blood pressure and makes people feel better,” Delgado said.

As we push through the mandated social isolation, student’s mental health and separation from friends continues to become a major problem. Pets provide us with company and friendship in a time when people desperately crave it.

Sophomore Z Malik has found comfort in the loving connection he shares with his emotional support dog. “You can see that they’re intricate enough to understand [your] emotions and yet they still love you,” Malik said. However, while animals have immense potential to support people, pet owners also need to make sure their animals are being well cared for. There are potential complications of pets adopted during quarantine, such as the development of separation anxiety. Before the pandemic, people would leave their houses to go to work and attend school, forcing animals to learn how to be alone. Now that people are home with pets 24/7, experts are concerned that it may adversely affect the pet’s mental health when people return to normal life.

“Some people are suggesting that you can introduce your pets to other people, maintain social distance and use different people to walk the dog,” Delgado said.

The pandemic has taken its toll on both animals and humans alike, but the relationship between pet and owner continues to strengthen over quarantine with every passing moment.

“It’s like having a baby that can move and bite,” Marsheck said. “But it’s also wonderful to snuggle or take a nap with them.”

“An animal is a way of support, and in terms of physiology effect, petting and cuddling with animals lowers blood pressure and makes people feel better.”

Leanor Delgado, Palo Alto Humane Society