Covid-19 has done a good job of wrecking our working lifestyles, but it’s also caused a lot of pups to find themselves without homes.
Choosing to adopt a pup during lockdown is a wonderful way to give a fluff a second chance at life, at a time when they need love the most! But it could also end up placing unnecessary strain on you (and your pooch) in the long run.
Here’s what you need to know before adopting a dog during the health crisis.
What It Costs To Have A Dog
Don’t underestimate the cost of being a pet parent! You’ll need to be able to cover:
- Vaccinations
- Warm bedding
- Healthy food
- Treats
- Pup toys
- DogTV
You could potentially be spending on things like training and pet insurance. It’s also a good idea to have savings in case of pet emergencies!
Sure, you may be able to afford it now, but this warrants long-term thinking. How will your job or salary be affected in the near future by the pandemic?
Incorporate these things into your budget and do some strategic planning before deciding to adopt a dog!
What Dogs Need
When you adopt a pup, you never know what they’ve been through. As humans, we all have some type of rejection or abandonment issues, and the same is true for pups – only they can’t tell us what their fears are and we can’t soothe them.
Separation anxiety is very real, especially among rescue pups. You may have all the time in the world right now, but when you go back to work what will happen to your new pooch?
Consider how your new pet would deal with you being away for hours. Patience is key, and they need to feel safe.
An ideal situations would be if you:
- Work from home and can spend plenty of time with them
- Can take your fluff to the office with you
- Have another dog to keep your new pup company
Where To Find Your New Puppy Or Dog
Choosing to adopt rather than buy gives an animal a second chance at life. It may seem appealing to get a puppy from a breeder (and they do need loving homes, too), but adopting a fluff in need is, quite literally, saving a life.
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll find an adoption center or shelter near you. In some cases, you can even adopt a pet from another country!
- USA: Adopt a Pet, PetFinder
- UK: RSPCA, Dog Rescue
- EU: Animal Rescue Guide, CARO Dog
- International: SPCA International
Lifetime Commitment, Not Just During Lockdown
Adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment, not just a lockdown commitment!
Most of us do understand this. But you’ll need to seriously consider your long-term financial and time constraints to make sure you’ll be able to take care of them and give your pooch love and attention even once the pandemic has passed.
If you’ve put some thought into these factors and decided to adopt, congratulations! Give that lucky pup a pat from us, and give them all the love they deserve.
Author Bio: Mike Powell is a dog lover who has been a dog owner since he was a kid. His love and passion for dogs encourage him to write about them. Mike shares his enthusiasm and some tips on how to parent a dog on his blog, dog embassy.
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