By Cheryl Rahal, D.V.M.
(With sidenotes from Toby the clinic kitty)
Pet adoptions soared during the pandemic and shelter capacities were at all time lows. Now, as our country attempts to return to normal, pets are unfortunately being returned to shelters. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is at critical capacity, animal rescue organizations are desperately overloaded and many shelters are being forced to consider changing their no-kill status.
If you have a “Covid pet” and are feeling frustrated with behaviors that are arising because you went back to work or school, consider these solutions.
- Doggie daycare. Energetic play can make a big difference in your pet’s behavior. A couple of visits a week is usually sufficient.
- Hire a dog walker. There are plenty of bored, yet responsible teenagers in the community who love animals and surely could be coerced into walking your dog for a few bucks.
- Adopt a companion pet. Not only would it help overcrowded rescues, you’d be surprised how many behaviors disappear when pets have a friend around to keep them company.
- Consider a dog trainer. Some will come to your house and deal with specific problems; others offer group classes or boot camps. Training is not just for puppies, it’s a lifelong activity and your dog will love it.
If all else fails and you find yourself certain you cannot keep your pet, please work diligently to rehome your pet. Ask neighbors, friends, post signs in the community, network through social media, or contact a rescue to help you find a new home. If your pet is having a behavioral issue, please don’t think no one else would want to deal with this. Many times, a pet in a different situation or home will react very differently.
Other Ways to Help
Get your pets spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a serious problem and we need to be responsible pet owners.
Adopt don’t shop. If demand goes down for “designer puppies,” the puppy mills will have no reason to continue to supply puppies.
Consider fostering. Many rescues don’t have facilities and rely on foster families for housing. Fosters help screen the pet and determine what type of home would be a good “furever” home.
Volunteer and donate. Rescues are always in need of volunteers and supplies like old towels, blankets, bowls, collars, leashes, or food your pet didn’t like.
Toby’s Take
If foster care didn’t exist, I’d be dead. When I was a kitten, a kind man found me and though he was homeless, he did his best. He didn’t know what to feed me, so I mostly ate Cheetos and beer, which was really yummy but not healthy, I’m told. We went to a shelter for help but he had to give me up. A nice lady who worked there took me home, fed me and gave me a bed. She couldn’t keep me but introduced me to this nice vet lady that hired me at her clinic. Dr. Rahal’s the best! She gives me Cheetos every once in a while. Shhhh!
Seriously people, my fellow felines are at critical status at the shelters; some are not even accepting cats or kittens. Please consider fostering, adopting, spaying and neutering. Our clinic fosters kittens. You might see them in the front window as you walk by—come in and adopt one!
Dr. Cheryl Rahal is a doctor of veterinary medicine at The Pet Wellness Center in North Phoenix. Her sidekick, Toby, spends his days alongside her at the clinic.