How COVID-19 Changed Animal Welfare

FEATURE STORY

WRITTEN BY: HALI SELERT, STAFF WRITER

There is no getting around how serious the virus is and the myriad of horrible consequences it has had. However, while we have some downtime, we may as well recognize some positives that these times have brought. Namely, the impacts on animal welfare across the globe.

Locally, several positive changes have taken place. In a time that would otherwise be picking up due to tourism demand, the carriage industry had to come to a halt. Not to dive into a controversial topic, but I think everyone can agree that the horses likely enjoyed their vacation. These horses typically are required to cart around tourists for hours on end so that they can learn about the history and culture of Charleston. Not only are the downtown horses getting a break, but so are the local rescues.

Area rescues have also felt some helpful impacts from the virus and quarantine. Eunoia Rescue has had an influx of both foster and adoption applications, which has enabled the foster-based organization to save more animals from local shelters. Kelsey Henson, the Foster Coordinator for Eunoia said “COVID and the quarantine has been a blessing in disguise for Eunoia, I think because so many people who have always wanted a pet now have the time to spend incorporating a dog into their family. We’ve also been receiving huge numbers of foster applications so we’ve been able to pull a huge number of adult dogs and puppies from local shelters! The growth that Eunoia has seen during this time is one of the silver linings of COVID.” Although there has been a slight uptick in owner surrenders, the rescue has mainly noticed positive impacts. I personally believed everything rescue-related would come to a stand-still due to the virus, anticipating an unprecedented dry spell, but was happily surprised when we began to see the opposite. Although the way rescue is conducted has changed significantly, it is promising to see a community band together to better the lives of the animals in need, especially during tough times.

Positive impacts from the pandemic and quarantine have also been felt in Florida. In 2018, Floridians voted to end Greyhound racing but allowed for a slow process. Officials had planned for a gradual shut down of the Greyhound racing tracks, however; in early April the practice came to a screeching halt. The tracks had planned to stay open and racing until June 2020, but were forced to close for good months earlier than they anticipated. With the virus came social distancing and bans on large crowds and there is no feasible way to gather in mass to watch dogs run in circles while social distancing. There is also no feasible way to run the gambling halls paired with the race tracks while ensuring the health of spectators and employees. Due to such, the tracks closed once and for all. Although this almost certainly led to a temporary strain on the rescues and adoption agencies taking the now permanently retired racing dogs, it saved the dogs a lot of pain and suffering. The closure happened at the start of the hottest months of the year, meaning the dogs got to avoid having to race in severe heat and humidity. It also meant that these dogs were able to begin their lives as valued family pets sooner than planned.

The Chinese government has also made changes that benefit the animals in their country. After the coronavirus outbreak was linked to a wildlife meat market, Chinese authorities began assessing what changes could be made to ensure a safer way of life. The first wave of bans brought an end to the trade and consumption of wild animals. Although this has not become law, legislation is being proposed and considered; which is a new phenomenon for the country. Following pandemics in the past, the bans on wildlife consumption have been lifted, meaning the trade started back. “If it’s not into the law it won’t be permanent. If it is into the law, it will be further force for enforcement and provide a legal foundation for government to further educate people and alert people to change their behavior,” Aili Kang with the Wildlife Conservation Society said.

Dogs in China’s live animal markets are often stolen as pets or snatched off the streets as strays

Reuters

Shenzhen, a large metropolis linking Hong Kong to China’s main land, took the ban on the consumption of animals a step further, extending it to dogs and cats on May 1, 2020. According to a Reuters report, the Shenzhen city government said “Dogs and cats as pets have established a much closer relationship with humans than all other animals, and banning the consumption of dogs and cats and other pets is a common practice in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan.” Although the practice of eating dog is not a common one in China, an estimated 30 million dogs are killed each year across Asia. Such a large city taking a stand against the consumption of dogs and cats will surely have a positive impact on the trade as a whole.

Whether it be enjoying the extra time at home with your pets, getting involved with an area rescue, donating to help support the influx of retired Greyhounds or applauding Chinese officials for making change, it is important to look on the bright side during uncertain times. ■