(Prince Albert SPCA/ Facebook)

By Ian Gustafson

New Owners

Local SPCA sees spike in adoptions since COVID-19 pandemic began

Nov 24, 2020 | 1:38 PM

The Prince Albert SPCA has seen a major increase in adoptions since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

According to a media release, the SPCA is near 40 adoptions per month since March.

SPCA Manager Ashlee Bober told paNOW the adoption numbers usually depend on the time of the year and people tend to adopt animals in the summer months rather than in the winter. Before the pandemic, people were adopting only 20 to 30 animals per month.

“This year it has definitely increased. A lot of it I definitely think is because of the fact of COVID and people being at home more so they have more time to spend with their new animals,” Bober said. “More time to train them when they first get them, which is fantastic but I mean we’ve also definitely been making sure that people that are adopting aren’t just adopting because they’re temporarily home for COVID.”

She added this year people have an increased desire to adopt dogs which find their forever homes within days of being in the SPCA’s care. Previously dogs could sometimes be up for adoption for close to two months. Now the longest they’ve had a dog is for a week.

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Adoption numbers for cats have also been fairly high but Bober said they do still have a lot of cats in the building.

“We’re still having more cats coming in as strays than we’re having adopting out,” Bober said. “We do definitely still have a number of cats getting adopted. The numbers are not as high as dogs getting adopted.”

She added it’s still a struggle keeping up with the amount of cats coming in.

Bober said people have been good at understanding their adoption choice is a permanent decision.

“When people are adopting we’re making sure that we’re asking all the good questions of making sure that people are serious in this,” she explained. “And that when they’re adopting they have fully thought this out, this isn’t just something because now they have time, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not going to be going back to work.”

Bober explained those who have been adopting have been a mix of new and experienced pet owners but said there has been an increase in new pet owners.

For the new owners, Bober said it’s important for them to have the proper information such as what foods to feed their new pet, all of the different requirements of the animal and where to go when you need help.

According to the media release, the SPCA and the Prince Albert Pet Planet store are working together to educate families.

Local Pet Planet Owner Corrine Penner told paNOW Dr. Al Townshend is the veterinarian on staff who creates all of their training so staff are able to understand and pass on the information to new pet owners.

The staff at Pet Planet educate owners on the appropriate nutritional choices and how important it is to the health of the animal.

“Veterinarians are a huge part of your animal’s wellbeing. But we hope to make it more of routine visits rather than they have to go because the pet is sick by choosing an appropriate diet for that pet and the appropriate treats and things like that,” Penner said.

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12