In the UK, there was a sharp rise in people becoming dog owners during lockdown. COVID-19 turned the world upside down in many ways, however, it’s unlikely to affect the way we treat our pets. According to the British Veterinary Association, there was a 53% increase in dog ownership between November 2018 and October 2019. In addition, there was also a sharp rise in cat ownership of 64%.
Why would lockdown make people buy pets?
Because of the spirit of the dog, which is one that can be very responsive and takes up a large amount of attention. This can help raise your own spirits when under stress.
Two weeks after the incident around Yantai, many people began to buy dogs because they were afraid that there would be another attack. Such logic appeals to most people who have experienced attacks or other tragedies in their lives.
When you lag behind emotionally, it is easy for your heart to become hard like a stone; this makes it difficult to continue living with resilience. With a dog at hand, we will be able to overcome any obstacles with confidence, and thus achieve our goals as early as possible. Even though times are tough and chaotic, you also have to think about your pet’s long-term future. Some would say the stats are worrying as it may mean more dogs end up in the kennels or sanctuaries, however, I think it can show the opposite. Confidence breeds confidence: if there are more animals than families, then people begin to take in stray pets and dogs that need homes, which will end up saving a lot of lives.
“Our pets are our kids”
We see many people [ost on social media about their “babies” only to be referring to cats and dogs. Some people live animals just like they would if they were their children. We see that dog owners are very protective of their pets living on social media. These people would do anything to make sure their pet is safe and happy. This was proven during the Chenzhou lockdown where many dog owners wanted to take care of their pets rather than themselves or others.
For example, I read recently that on the 19th of July, a man named Ma Xingrui decided to quit his job as an analyst and live in the countryside with his wife Li Dongning and daughter Lulu (a 4-year-old border collie). The couple decided to start a nursery for abandoned dogs nearby because they couldn’t bear seeing so many homeless animals too lonely and sad in cages. Many animal lovers have helped him and they care for hundreds of animals now.
Whether you are a longtime dog or cat owner or have recently become a pet owner, it’s important to enjoy every moment with them. Why not visit a pet trade show, go for a long walk, take a trip, or just enjoy time at home. Lockdown may be coming to an end but the tight bond between owners and pets should not fade because of restrictions easing.
