Consigned to quarters? Locked down? It's going to be a tough few weeks for us all, but if you're thinking about adopting a pet to keep you company, the advice is simple: DON'T!
By , 24 Mar 2020
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home reports an increase in the number of people seeking to adopt a dog. A spokesperson for the charity said it had also seen a rise in enquiries about fostering an animal.
Following the government’s tighter measures to curb the spread of the virus, people marooned at home are turning to pets to relieve their loneliness.
All very well and good, but, says the organisation, rehoming a dog should be considered a lifelong commitment, not just one to fill a relatively short gap.
And the greatest concern is what will happen when life returns to normal.
Writes Sky News the spokesperson said, "We really need people to think about what might happen the other side of this outbreak when people are hopefully back to their usual routines and have other commitments.”
Business as usual
Interest in fostering has also increased, but the charity has suspended applications in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the shelter is closed to the public the shelter's staff still work tirelessly to collect and care for the resident dogs and cats, and new arrivals.
"Over the last week we have rehomed nearly 100 animals, with 26 animals rehomed across our three centres on Thursday alone," the organisation told Sky News.
"We are striving to arrange the collection of dogs and cats that are currently on reserve, so there may be some delay in responding to new enquiries.
"We would encourage [people] to support rescue dogs in other ways, such as sponsoring one of our beautiful dogs."
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