CORONAVIRUS MEANS HIGHER RATE OF ABANDONED PETS: Over 1 in 10 Pennsylvania pet owners would be unable to afford their pets if they lose their job, according to a study completed by Innovet Pet.

Dave Louvet, CEO of Innovet Pet has warned that an “extended lockdown period may lead to a significant increase in pet ownership. We believe this trend would lead to a significant spike in abandoned pets over the course of the year, as many owners deem them unaffordable, or realize they have no one to care for their pet when they eventually return to work.”

The company carried out a survey (3,000) which found that 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians (28%) say they would consider getting a new pet for lockdown, especially if this period was extended.

We are all aware of the positive influence a pet can have on your life; however, it is impossible to deny the responsibility that comes with pet ownership.

The study also discovered that 16% of pet owners in Pennsylvania admitted that if they were to lose their job, they would struggle to afford to keep their pet. This highlights the financial responsibility of pet ownership, which could be an issue given the current state of the economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, pets require a great deal of attention just like having a child. In fact, over 1 in 10 (13%) of respondents believe it would actually be more difficult to care for a pet than a child during lockdown! Perhaps this is because animals need exercise outdoors and fresh air in order to maximize their health and happiness, whereas a child may be more content to play indoors.

Your pet may be a bit confused as to why you are home each day, rather than out and about at work or running errands. When lockdown is over, the survey found that 1 in 3 pet owners (30%) say they will feel guilty about leaving their pet alone at home again once they return to work.