CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS SEE DEMAND FOR PETS SURGE AS SHELTERS ISSUE WARNING TO PROSPECTIVE OWNERS

If you are stuck at home right now because of COVID-19 restrictions, you might be feeling bored — or even lonely — but animal rescue groups say those reasons aren’t enough to adopt a new pet.

Key points:

• Shelters are warning to only adopt if you can commit to keeping a pet long-term
• There has been a surge in demand for pets as more people stay home
• Vet clinics in Canberra remain open, though many non-essential procedures have been cancelled

Animal adoption rates at the RSPCA in Canberra have nearly doubled amid the pandemic and the organisation has put the increase down to people having more time to devote to their pets while they isolate.

RSPCA ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson said that was a good thing — but only if customers were able to keep their animals happy, healthy and homed after the pandemic.

“We’re hoping that if people do come out, that they come out for the right reasons. And if their reasons are not right, we will have a conversation with them and we won’t necessarily adopt an animal out on that day,” she said.

The rise in people adopting pets, coupled with physical distancing laws, has prompted the shelter to hold animals viewings by appointment only, limiting how many people are at the shelter at the same time.

Despite warning against “hoarding” cats, Vanessa Parton from the Canberra Street Cat Alliance said isolation provided a good window for new owners and pets to bond.

“I think it’s a perfect time to introduce a new family member. People have got the time at home to adjust that pet to the household and the family,” she said.

“After the pandemic, we’re going to have some very well-adjusted cats. They should be capable of dealing with those family members going back to work.”

But, like the RSPCA, Ms Parton said her organisation had to be cautious about who adopted and fostered its cats.

“It’s not just while you’re at home to reduce the loneliness and give you company. You do need to think long and hard,” she said.

“We’ve actually tightened our intake processes. So, we are screening our adoptive families more closely and asking a lot more questions.”

Canberra father, Dan Connolly and sons Riley and Lachlan adopted their kitten, Moritary, from Canberra Street Cat Alliance last week.

Mr Connolly said it was far from an impulse buy and the family had been considering pet adoption before the pandemic took hold.

“We were thinking about another pet for a while, and the kids were complaining that I didn’t want to get a dog. So, they changed tactics and said, ‘Maybe we should get a cat?’,” he said.

“With everyone cooped-up inside, it kind of made sense to allow it to happen now.”

His son Riley said the energetic kitten “takes my mind off things that are going on these days.”

Vets remain limited amid pandemic

Those still committed to adopting an animal are also being warned by vets that non-essential procedures including desexing and some vaccinations have been postponed indefinitely.

Veterinary clinics have remained open throughout COVID-19 restrictions, but some have “radically restructured” their processes to avoid human contact.

Dr Winston Oakes at Northside Veterinary Centre in Canberra said while it had been challenging to adapt to the restrictions, it has also felt like a “luxury” because his patients are not people, and according to health authorities there has been no evidence of human-to-animal transmission to date.

As a result, limiting contact with the animals’ owners has been a top priority.

“Clients are arriving at the clinic, but instead of coming in and waiting in the waiting room, they are waiting outside with their pets and then we’re getting a handover of the patient with the client at the door,” said Dr Oakes.

“We’re also deferring all non-urgent procedures. The rationale we’re working with is that the less people who come out of their own house, the safer it is going to be for the community.”

The postponed procedures include desexing, non-essential vaccinations, routine surgeries, and medical conditions that do not require urgent attention.

Dr Oakes said he had also given a lot of thought to the potential threat of touching his animal patients amid the outbreak.

“There’s a risk that anything we touch that has come into contact with someone who’s been infected by this virus, could be a risk to us, and the patients themselves count as something that’s been touched,” Dr Oakes said.

“We’ve been thinking about and exploring whether we need to wash patients before we examine them.”

The veterinarian also pleaded for any unwell clients to call-ahead and discuss options, rather than leaving their house to drop off a pet.

“If you are bringing your animals to the vet, just make sure you’re well, and if you’re not well, get someone else to bring them in. It’s so that veterinary staff aren’t put at risk,” he said.