Adopting pets during lockdown - is it the right thing to do?

Whilst most of the world’s population is in lockdown due to the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a lot of coverage in the media about adopting a pet. But is this enforced confinement really an ideal time to welcome a new cat or dog into the household?

In theory it could be – when else would we be confined to our homes for such a long period of time, and so be there throughout the day to help settle a new family member into their new home?

Some people may be feeling isolated and lonely, cut off from their friends, family and colleagues, and longing for the company that an animal companion would undoubtedly bring during self-isolation.

These are worthy reasons to consider adoption, and without doubt there are thousands of pets looking for their ‘forever home’ and the love of a new owner.

However, adopting a pet is a huge undertaking, and many prospective owners don’t consider the full implications first. The lifetime cost of owning a dog is calculated at anything between £5,000 – 15,000 depending on the breed (source PDSA https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/the-cost-of-owning-a-dog) and that may be without factoring in vet’s fees and insurance!     

When the pandemic finally ends and life begins to return to some sort of normality, many people will return to work and study, leaving homes empty for much of the day. Dogs can’t be left for more than a few hours, so unless you are lucky enough to have a dog-friendly workplace or the option to continue to regularly work from home, think very carefully before adopting, as it will be hard to adjust back to a different pattern once a dog is part of the household. Dogs need regular daily exercise so time for walks should be factored in.

Moreover, many dogs have come to be in a centre because their previous owner could not (or would not) adapt to having a dog and had to give them up. What could be more distressing for the dog who is returned to a shelter, having had a taste of being part of a loving household?    

Cats are by nature more adaptable, but considerable thought is still required before adoption. Whilst they are naturally more independent than dogs, many cats are especially loyal to their owners and miss them when they are away. If you plan to keep a cat indoors, he will need stimulation in the form of toys, a comfortable place to sleep, a litter tray, and fresh water and regular feeding. Two cats can be company for one another, if they get along. Consider whether it is safe to install a cat flap, allowing access to the outdoors. It may be fine if you live in a quiet area away from busy roads, but, sadly, many cats lose their lives to cars each year so this may not be the best option.

Animal adoption organisations and sanctuaries have taken different approaches during lockdown. Battersea’s adoption centres are closed during the COVID 19 epidemic. Cat’s Protection is limiting adoption through its centres for the safety of  staff and volunteers. Dog’s Trust is  rehoming only an exceedingly small number of animals, and its rehoming centres are closed for th duration of the pandemic in the interests of both staff and animals. Remember that once the pandemic is over, the dogs and cats will still be there, needing homes more than ever, and adoption decisions can be made in the light of the situation people find themselves in then, which may be very different to how it used to be, pre-lockdown.

Think very carefully about animal adoption, particularly in this unsettling time. Undoubtedly, welcoming a canine or feline companion into your life can be one of the best things you can do, and giving a home to a previously homeless animal is to be commended.

But it may be better to wait until ‘normal’ life has resumed before taking that big step ...

Animals and wellbeing – part one

 

Hands up, pet owners – how many of you think that your furry friend has a positive impact on your life...?
I’d be surprised if there weren’t a whole bunch of people staring at their screens with their hands in the air right now. Because it’s true – from getting us out of the house for a bit of exercise, to making us feel better when we’re down, our pets definitely have the ability to enrich our lives and improve our wellbeing.

Over the next few months we’re going to take a look at the various benefits our interactions with the animal world have on our general wellbeing. This month, the focus is on animals and our mental health.

Animals and mental wellbeing 

If you’ve ever felt low or upset, and then had a cat come and sit on your lap and purr, or a dog rest his head on your leg for you to scratch his ears, you probably already know the amazing effect that animals can have on our mood. Their very presence offers comfort, and they always seem to know when we need them most – even before we do!

There are hundreds of ways animals help our mental wellbeing day-to-day. My husband and I are constantly talking about our two cats: watching them, playing with them, and laughing at their antics. After a hard or tiring day at work, I know I'll walk through my front door to find James Cat rolling around waiting for me, with Leonard not far away (often in my husband's lap!) Five minutes talking to, cuddling, and playing with them is enough to have me wondering what I was so grumpy about. Their upbeat attitude is infectious.

Organisations such as Pets as Therapy have been telling us this since the early eighties. Through visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, and special needs schools, the charity's volunteers and their pets have helped many people to feel better about themselves, and the world around them.

For the elderly, the presence of an animal can help them feel less isolated, and keep them active, both mentally and physically, and offers a sense of security and companionship. This article describes the ways in which therapy animals can help people with dementia, indicating that they recognize an animal in the environment as friendly and non-threatening. When they have a pet with them, studies show they display more interactive behaviour – animals bring us out of ourselves. 

This is also true of people living with mental illness. The State Hospital in Scotland has many animals on-site for inpatients to visit, work with and care for, as well as regular visits from therapy assistance animals. It released a very insightful article about the benefits this has had on residents.

Aileen Galt, a rehabilitation Instructor at the centre, says “Bonding with animals is often much easier than getting people to like and trust you, so animals-as-therapy is a great first step in the rehabilitation process.”

The sense of trust, friendship and responsibility that people gain from interactions with animals is invaluable – perhaps even life-saving. Marion Janner, Director of Star Wards and contributor to My Dog, my Friend, is in no doubt about the benefits that her dog, Buddy, has had on her life. If feeling overwhelmed when out and about (in Buddy's words) “Marion … loves loves loves me and wouldn't put me in danger. So she somehow manages to stagger on and get me across streets and back home nice and safely.” (p27, My Dog, my Friend)

Buddy's presence is a comfort and a safeguard: Marion's love for her friend keeps them both safe, and allows Marion the freedom to lead her life, knowing that she has Buddy supportively trotting along beside her.

They cheer us up, they bring us out of ourselves, they keep us calm and give us a reason to carry on. They make us feel normal, safe and loved, and they do it all with a simple wag of the tail, an understanding gaze, and a gentle nuzzle. Yes, animals are an incredible asset to our mental wellbeing, because they're always there for us, and always will be. And there's great comfort in that thought.

Competition Time!

We're giving away five copies of our fantastic book, My Dog, my Friend! To be in with a chance to win a copy, just answer this simple question:

(Here's a hint – you can find the answer in this blog post!)

Email your answer and your name to us at prize@hubbleandhattie.com. We'll announce the lucky winner in October's Animal Magic. Good Luck!

My Dog, my Friend – out now!

The day has finally arrived ... our fantastic new book, My Dog, my Friend is out now!

My Dog, my Friend – Heart-warming tales of canine companionship from celebrities and other extraordinary people, is a kaleidoscope of vivid, moving and highly entertaining accounts of the delights and benefits of dog ownership: an anthology of stories, freely contributed, from TV personalities, broadcasters, politicians, writers, and many others.
Brought to life with colour photographs of the writers and their beloved canine companions, this is an
ideal bedside or coffee table book that can be read cover-to-cover, or simply ‘dipped into.’ It conveys the key message that dogs can – and do – have a positive impact on the way we feel and live.
All author royalties go to the charity Samaritans, to support its invaluable work of alleviating emotional distress and reducing suicidal behaviour.

What the press are saying ...
We're over-the-moon at the response this book has already had and the buzz that's being generated! Check out this great article by Clare Allan on the Guardian website, and if you're a Times subscriber, you can read a simply brilliant aritcle from Deborah Ross here!
Contributor Marion Janner and her support dog Buddy were invited to the BBC Breakfast sofa for a
fantastic interview ...

 Not to mention the fantastic reviews we've had coming in ...

 

What YOU are saying ...

We're even more delighted by the comments we've been getting from our fabulous readers. Here are some that made our tails wag from the 5-star reviews received so far on Amazon.co.uk ...

If you're eager to get your paws on this fantastic new book for yourself, pop over to the Hubble & Hattie website, where it's available to buy right now!