PANDEMIC PETS

PANDEMIC PETS: OWNERSHIP SPIKES IN NORTH ROYALTON BY JARET GOLD

Social scientists say companionship is almost as important to people as food and water, so it is not surprising that many people have turned to pets during the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, the rate of pet adoption has increased dramatically in hundreds of shelters across the country, which has helped them stay afloat in a time when many businesses have closed shop.

The North Royalton Animal Hospital is one of the establishments seeing an uptick in service from new owners. “There are more vet checkups than last year, with so many new pets,” says Dr. Katie Liutkus, who works at the hospital. “It kind of evens out. The [dog] daycare has received less visitors because people aren’t really going on vacation, but the hospital has been busy.” Paws at Play daycare is expected to return to full capacity when the pandemic is over, likely next year.

Dr. Adam Hechko, the owner of the hospital, agrees, and says that this upward trend in adoption, while a great thing, also has some negative effects. “You have all these new pets who are stuck inside all the time, because their owners don’t leave the house. I think we’ll find that when the pandemic is over, there will be a lot of animals with attachment issues and behavioral problems because they’re not getting the stimulation they need.” That’s why Dr. Hechko prioritizes play and socialization for pets that go to the vet.

The pattern of increased pet adoptions has been recorded not just in North Royalton, but across the state and country at large. Petpoint, a software company used by shelters across the United States, compiled data from over 2,000 locations and found an average 700 percent increase in adoptions from 2019. As the survey was compiled in June, that number is likely even higher now. Of course, it’s not just pet stores benefiting from the surge in adoptions. Pet owners are coping with the difficult times better with their animal companions. According to a survey done by Zoetis Petcare, 72 percent of participants reported that having a pet has helped them get through isolation.

During the pandemic, Animal Hospital owner Adam Hechko got his sons pet goats (above), which has really helped them get through isolation. Because the family lives on a farm, the goats have plenty of room to roam around. (Photo Credit: Adam Hechko.)

As hospitals fight to keep us safe, the North Royalton Animal Hospital has made it their goal to keep pets healthy too. (Reprinted with permission from the North Royalton Animal Hospital.)

North Royalton High School student Jude Stanley, who has five dogs and a cat, agrees that his pets have helped him so far. “Even them just being there makes everything more… normal, you know? I’m glad there’s others at home with me when I’m home.”

With the pandemic expected to continue well into 2021, the need for companionship will only grow, especially as the country enters a third wave this winter. Numbers of adoptions are only expected to increase, according to the Washington Post, and this means both loving new homes for pets and desperately needed company for owners. Hunkered down, people and their pets will get through this crisis together.