From the perspective of millions of abused, abandoned and neglected pets, there’s never a bad time to adopt. And, for huge numbers of “non-essential” workers either telecommuting or less-than-fully employed during the current pandemic, the time seems more ripe than ever to do good by our orphaned animal companions.
After bringing our new family member home, we’d of course want to show them off. With many states undergoing staged “openings” and some communities flinging their doors (almost) completely open, the temptation to introduce our pet to the outside world may be irresistible.
But we may want to resist — or at least pull back on the reins a little. Current conditions may complicate our pet’s adjustment to their new life with us, especially if we’re considering a dog. Here are some wild cards to consider:
Unless we are fully retired, our stay-at-home gig will likely end someday. If we work and are fortunate enough to telecommute 100 percent, bravo! We likely have ample time to lay down or replace puppy pee-pads between conference calls. The same is true if we're un- or under-employed. If the latter is our scenario, our shrinking stimulus funds and slinking creditors may soon pull us away from home in search of bread, water and kibble. That endless pool of quality time reserved for furry family could quickly evaporate. Our forever vows to our pets may be tested.
How will we provide adequate opportunities to socialize our dogs? In order to grow up mentally sound and emotionally stable, dogs need exposure to other dogs and people who are not part of their immediate family. Responsible social distancing severely curtails these opportunities. While the risk of companion animal-to-human transmission and transmission between companion animals is virtually nil, the risk between humans remains. As more of us cross the street to avoid close encounters or share glancing exchanges with others, we may be conditioning our dogs to think that people and other animals are to be avoided.
How will we provide adequate opportunities to train our dogs? There are a wealth of tips online. But, when we’re trying to train our dog to get on well with people and other dogs, we need direct contact with the real thing. Those of us living on a spread with many animal companions or within a remote, insular community will probably fare better — and with less risk — than urban dwellers. The challenges and risks in higher-density areas will be compounded by the use of adjustable-length leashes. In the hands of absent-minded or irresponsible humans, we could easily find ourselves in a tangled mess.
Conscientious infection control applies to pets as well. Verified cases of COVID-19 in pets are extremely few. However, pets can act as a transmitting surface; it is possible for infected droplets to be sprayed upon their coats and remain there. COVID can also be shed in poop, so it’s conceivable for the virus to live in a dog’s nasal passages, if our dog is a poop-sniffer. Dissuading this behavior and regularly wiping our dog’s coats and paws with a pet-friendly cleanser are in order (diluted baby shampoo works, avoid products with “phenol”). Tough as it may be, we should refrain from cuddles and kisses if we are sick.
A forever home is undeniably the best outcome for our homeless companions. Pet adoption under any circumstances mandates that we lead with equal parts of head and heart; this goes double for adoption during a pandemic. No pet should suffer the consequences of our impulsivity or the poorly-mapped plot points of our lives.
Every companion deserves to have their human come back to them after a hard day's work — whether it’s from across the city or across the room.