from the publisher
ANIMAL HOUSE Most days, my house resembles something of a farm. From
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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY
Pandemic
PANDEMIC PETS / BRUNCH IS BACK!
PETS Locals bring home new family members amid a global shutdown
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AUGUST 2021
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birds to horses, a cow, and a couple of Great Danes, there are no shortage of animals taking up residence on the Zoccoli ranch—and that’s just how I like it. When the animals have free range, they snack on my vegetable garden and voluntarily mow down the grass; my home was made for animals, and I rarely turn down the opportunity to add another to the brood, even when caring for them becomes another fulltime job. With an already full house and yard, I didn’t add any of my own pets during the pandemic, but that’s what many Americans did. Last year data reported soaring increases in pet adoptions, with Nielsen clocking the rise at 202% from March to August 2020 year over year. Research also found euthanasia rates to be down 43% (partly because closed shelters couldn’t bring in new pets but also partly because more dogs were adopted and fostered) from January to June 2020. The news is almost all good on the pet front, including pet-related businesses such as pet stores enjoying a sales boost driven up by the influx of new animals finding their forever homes. There are so many reasons people chose to adopt pets during quarantine—mostly dogs and cats. For some, they needed companionship during a lonely time. For others, the timing simply made sense—home all day to care for and train a new member of the family. For others, their kids were at the forefront, in need of something positive to focus on during such a negative time. Regardless of why, the numbers don’t lie; and the pandemic pet trend is what led us to highlight some local families in San Joaquin County who brought their own playmates home, and why they made the decision during a statewide shutdown. Happy reading!
TONY ZOCCOLI
tony@sanjoaquinmagazine.com
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AUGUST 2021 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM
LAST THOUGHTS STOCKTON REALITY STARS Talent can come from anywhere—that’s what Stockton brothers Zack and Wayne Macasaet want you to know. The newest in a growing lineup of local standouts, the brothers are finding fame on season two of LEGO Masters, where their motorized creations that pay homage to individual hobbies are impressing judges week to week. Learn more about them on page 21 and follow their journey on FOX.
THE LONG-AWAITED GREAT WOLF LODGE For a year SJC has been waiting for the doors of Manteca’s Great Wolf Lodge to open. With capacity restrictions finally lifted, the indoor waterpark was able to welcome its first guests June 29. It’s not the only theme park getting attention, however. California has other thrilling additions for those who love rollercoasters and more. Page 32.
