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 ...

Cat declawing - a step in the tight direction

Cruel as it might seem to many responsible cat lovers, a small minority of owners consider it acceptable to put their cat through an operation to remove their claws. The most frequent type of operation is called onychectomy and involves cutting the bones that the claws grow from to prevent claws growing.

(c) Getty images

Cat declawing is illegal in many countries in Europe including the UK, and in Brazil, Israel, Australia and New Zealand. However, in the US, perception has historically differed, with some studies suggesting that up to 55% of US cat owners saying it was acceptable. (Source: API survey 2011). There will be some cases when it is medically necessary, however it is sometimes done purely to stop the cat scratching furniture; so effectively a modification for human benefit. Many cats in the US are ‘house cats’ who live exclusively indoors, due in part to being kept by apartment-dwellers or because there are more outdoor predators such as coyotes, or the risk of traffic in cities. In comparison cats in Europe are more likely to be able to roam outdoors.

This may be about to change, as you may have seen in the news recently, New York lawmakers voted in June to make it illegal (except when medically necessary). This still needs to be reviewed and signed by the governor, Andrew Cuomo. Other US cities such as Los Angeles and Denver have already banned declawing. We hope that this trend continues.

Help your cat scratch to in the right places

(C) Pet Planet

Cats will find places to scratch and sharpen their claws; it’s a natural action for a cat, and, as well as scent marking their territory, it helps to shed the outer layers of their claws that continue to grow just like human’s nails. Providing a range of quality scratching posts, ideally as long as the cat’s length, placed around the house will help. Some cats like to scratch doormats too. There are products available from pet stores such as pheromone sprays that attract cats to the ‘right’ places for scratching.

Interested in learning more about cat behaviour? Take a look at Cat Speak by Brigitte Rauth-Widmann, and The One Minute Cat Manager by Kac Young.