In the midst of COVID-19 and shelter-in-place, one can get pretty lonely. It has become increasingly difficult to see friends and family, particularly those that live far away. In light of these circumstances, the growing amount of time at home provides an excellent opportunity to gain a new companion– one that is smaller and more furry.
It’s no secret that pets of all kinds provide great company, whether that means going on walks with a dog or playing with a laser pointer for a cat. Studies have shown that pets often increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners, along with numerous other mental and physical benefits. Importantly, pets can also decrease feelings of loneliness, which makes them a good household addition during shelter-in-place.
Likely due to the increased amount of time at home, shelters across the country have seen greater adoption rates in the last few months. According to The Washington Post, adoption rates in Los Angeles, CA have doubled since March.
This trend has also been seen in our local shelters, including the Peninsula Humane Society. “PHS/SPCA has seen an increase in people wanting to add an animal to their lives during this time, and indeed we do believe that is related to people with more time at home due to shelter-in-place and work-from-home policies, as well as the simple but wonderful reality of the benefits of unconditional love from an animal during what is obviously a stressful period,” says Ken White, President of the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA. He adds that now is a great time to adopt, as long as one can provide the time, love and financial resources necessary to support a new pet.
In light of economic stress on many people and businesses, the Humane Society and SPCA has also developed a Pet Food Bank that provides free animal food and basic supplies to those in need, as well as a delivery service to those unable to go out. “This has certainly not been a simple time, but PHS/SPCA has and continues to meet its charitable goals to help the animals and the people who care about the animals,” says White.
Quite a few SMHS students have taken the virtual learning setting as an opportunity to spend time with their pets. “Being able to spend more time with our puppy has allowed us to really bond with him and have fun! We were able to train him to do some tricks and had some fun hiking trips with him too,” says Allison Zhu, a junior and new quarantine pet owner.
Overall, now is an amazing time to add a new member to the family and get to know a furry friend. Even if you can’t commit to ownership long-term, working or studying from home could be a great opportunity to foster a pet. Whether you’re feeling lonely or bored, there’s a dog, cat, hamster, snake, turtle, or bunny waiting to be welcomed into a loving home.