'Pandemic Puppies' and COVID-19: How to Navigate This Complex Issue

One of the key questions is whether people, in the rush to satisfy their short term needs, have really planned explicitly for the long term challenges of responsible dog ownership or just think they can 'figure it all out down the road'.

For example, most people will transition rather easily to going back to work and adjust to less time with their dog...but have they considered how easy will it be for the dog? Will separation anxiety affect the dogs' well-being when their owners return to their busy lives? If the owner loses his or her job, will they be able to cover the costs of food and veterinary care? Will this trend result in shelters getting inundated with Pandemic Puppies?

Even if a household is fully prepared for a four-legged addition, where will they get it? With the dramatically rising demand for dogs over the past few months, ethical breeders and animal shelters have been struggling to keep up. Sadly, this has provided an opportunity for puppy mills, smugglers, and irresponsible breeders to cash in on unsuspecting/uninformed would-be dog owners. Knowledge is key to ensuring that - if you decide that now really is a good time to welcome a dog into your family - you will be getting a happy, healthy dog from an ethical source.

To help prospective dog owners wade through the ups and downs of dog acquisition in the midst of COVID-19, we've begun compiling a collection of resources from IPFD, our Partners, other key stakeholder organizations and the media. We will continue adding resource as they become available.

 

Additional COVID-19 Content on DogWellNet.com

• Blog Posts: Sources of accurate and relevant COVID-19 information for your dog, your puppies and you: COVID-19 - a novel experience for dogs and people  | Commentary on Ian Seath article: COVID-19: A (dog) world of unanticipated consequences: DOGS ARE FOR LIFE, not just for Coronavirus

 

IPFD Partner and Collaborator COVID-19 Content

• American Kennel Club - Resources, ideas, advice, and fun ways to help dog owners deal with the crisis: Coping With Coronavirus COVID-19 I Info for getting/training a puppy during the pandemic and considerations post COVID: Is Now The Right Time to Get a Puppy? How to Prepare During COVID-19  | Advice for breeders on how to socialize and place puppies while keeping themselves and potential buyers safe from COVID-19: Placing Puppies in the Age of COVID-19: Placing Puppies in the Age of COVID-19: Safety Advice for Breeders
• Canadian Kennel Club - Steps CKC is taking during this ongoing, evolving pandemic, health guidelines: COVID-19 Updates from the Canadian Kennel Club | The Canadian Kennel Club issued a media release on June 22, calling for regulatory change on the mass dog importation into Canada - following news of the tragic loss of dogs on a Ukrainian flight that recently arrived in Toronto. | July 8 CKC update on CFIA Statement on New Import Restrictions
• Dutch Kennel Club - Increased demand for puppies, and support for puppy trainers: Raadar newsletter May 2020 (in Dutch)
• Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) - News stories on the dark side of the lucrative puppy market and tips for ensuring people get puppies from ethical sources: 38 French Bulldog puppies died on flight from Ukraine to Canada
• Finnish Kennel Club - Good life with a dog podcasts to support the purchase of a dog | Where to get a dog (In Finnish)
• French Kennel Club - Answers to owners' questions related to COVID-19: SCC Newsletter
• The Kennel Club - FAQs, advice and support: Statement on Kennel Club events and Coronavirus (Covid-19) | Advice to help prospective owners determine if they're ready for the commitment (at any time): Are you ready for a dog? | Tips for preventing dogs from being spooked by the sight of people in masks: How to introduce your dog to a face mask | Survey data released by The KC provides what it claims is “a state-of-the-nation picture of life in lockdown”: The KC highlights impulse buying during pandemic
• Irish Kennel Club - Links to IKC policies etc. during the pandemic: Homepage
• Swedish Kennel Club - Increase in puppy registrations during COVID: Allt fler skaffar hund (In Swedish)
• German Kennel Club - Information for clubs and dog owners: Corona-Virus - Informationen für unsere Vereine und Hundehalter (in German)
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) - Advisory Documents, extensive resources for veterinary professionals and pet owners, animal welfare advice: COVID-19 – Advice and Resources | WSAVA recently collaborated with BSAVA to create an article on 'COVID-19: What it means for you and your pet'

• All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) - APDAWG’s January 2021 meeting was about pandemic puppy buying. APDAWG explored the buying behaviours and intentions during the pandemic period, as there has been an increase in sales, and aimed to identify and assess any themes and patterns from this period with a goal of better protecting dog welfare: Pandemic puppy buying: What have we learnt?

 

Other Organizations

• FOUR PAWS International - Resources on animal health and welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic
• FOUR PAWS UK:  An interim report on recent research by a team of researchers and campaigners: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Online Puppy Trade: United Kingdom
• Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPTD) - Press Release - Risk of Separation Anxiety re COVID-19 Return to Work
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - Article/printable handout outlining activities to help guide pet owners through dog socialization during COVID-19: Socializing dogs during COVID-19
• Animal Welfare Foundation - The AWF Research Fund has awarded a grant funding a project that will explore by whom, why and how puppies were purchased during UK lockdown (March-June 2020): Pandemic Puppies: Exploring motivations and behaviours of UK owners acquiring puppies during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown

 

COVID-19 and Dogs: In the Media
There is an enormous amount of media coverage addressing the adoption/purchase of puppies and dogs during the pandemic. Below, we present a selection of stories reporting on some of the key issues. Many of the articles cover multiple aspects of pandemic puppies, but we've categorized them  based on the overall focus of the story.

Although the bulk of the articles are from media outlets in North America and Europe, most of the information and issues are essentially universal around the globe.

Getting a Dog During COVID-19: Impulse Purchase or Part of a Long Term Plan (What Happens After Coronavirus?)

• Heart (UK) - New data revealed by The Times (UK) has exposed the surge in people either selling or giving their puppies to adoption centres after making impulsive decisions to buy a pet during the pandemic: Surge of 'lockdown puppies' bought during pandemic being sold or given to rescue homes
• CBC (Canada) - A message of caution for families to think long and hard before buying or adopting a dog during the lockdown: Paws and reflect before adopting that 'pandemic puppy,' experts warn
• NPR (USA) - A look at the upsides and downsides of adoption/fostering during the pandemic, and concerns for dogs after the outbreak: Should I Adopt A Dog During The Coronavirus Crisis? Read This First
• NPR (USA) - Rescue groups and shelters want people to consider if they can still commit to being a dog owner after they return to the workplace: Want To Adopt A Dog? First Ask Yourself: Can You Still Commit Post-Pandemic?
• Wall Street Journal (USA) - An article that illustrates the expected expenses of impulse puppy decision: So You’re Getting a Pandemic Puppy. Here’s What It Will Cost.
• iNews (UK) - Issues such as increased demand, the reality of a long-term commitment (with references to the Kennel Club and Dog Health Trust): Coronavirus: People urged not to make ‘impulsive’ decision to get a puppy during pandemic
• BBC (UK) - Focusing on the potential downsides of pandemic puppies, such as impulse decisions vs long term commitment: Coronavirus: Why you shouldn't get a pet during lockdown
• BBC (UK) - Animal shelters are starting to see older puppies with behavioural issues being handed in by frustrated owners, and pet sales websites are filling up with listings for puppies being resold: When your 'pandemic puppy' doesn't work out
• Glamour Magazine (UK) - Focus on increased demand, ethical sourcing, and post pandemic concerns: The Pandemic Puppy: Why a dog is for life, not just for lockdown
• MRCVS Online (UK) - Analysis of The Blue Cross call for review of animal welfare as the country emerges from the pandemic: Government warned of a possible 'pet crisis'

Issues of Supply and Demand (e.g., Ethical breeders vs Puppy Mills, Imports/Smuggling, Scams, Rising Prices)

• Global News (Canada) - A report on increased demand for dogs and the potential for fraud/scams during the pandemic: The New Reality: The appeal of the pandemic puppy 
• Zoomer Radio (Canada) - Richard Paquette, a director with the Canadian Kennel Club, discusses the challenges of aspiring pet parents during the pandemic: Dr. Sean Wharton: New Obesity Guideline & Richard Paquette: Pet Adoption – August 9 2020
• NBCNews (USA) - Warnings to consumers about sources for buying puppies during pandemic: If you're adopting a dog in the pandemic, steer clear of puppy mills, Humane Society warns
• Financial Times (UK) - A look at increased demand/pricing and issues around puppy imports/smuggling: UK faces puppy shortage as demand for lockdown companions soars
• BBC News (UK) - The dangers of seller scams: Coronavirus: Victims lose thousands to fake puppy and kitten sales
• BBC News (UK) - Rising puppy prices raise concerns of "puppy farming", smuggling or dog theft, as well as a dog welfare crisis as people return to work: Puppy prices soar during coronavirus lockdown
• BBC News (UK) - It's becoming apparent that many new owners are ill prepared for the task, as animal behaviourists report a surge in requests to help dogs suffering from separation anxiety and fear-aggression after their lives have been turned upside down: Dogs in turmoil as lockdown fuels demand for pets
• BBC News (UK) - Concerns are rising over abandoned dogs as people struggle financially as well as "Dogfishing" where unscrupulous sellers mislead uninformed people into buying a dog that may not be what it seems: Covid: Concerns over 'dogfishing' and abandoned pets
• CTV News (Canada) - Though not explicitly mentioning the pandemic puppy phenomenon, this story covers the tragic loss of dozen of puppies recently smuggled Canada: Animal activists urge consumers not to buy dogs online after dozens of puppies found dead on Toronto-bound flight
• Huffpost (UK) - Animal charities warn that the recent surge in pet purchases could put animals at risk of abuse, poor health, and later abandonment: Demand for 'Pandemic Puppies' Prompts Fears Over Animal Welfare
• The Guardian (UK) - Soaring demand for puppies is fuelling a dognapping crime wave: Hot dogs: what soaring puppy thefts tell us about Britain today
• MRCVSonline (UK) - Dogs Trust is urging potential puppy buyers to remain vigilant when buying via online adverts, to avoid being duped, and to never hand over a deposit before seeing the pup with and interacting with its mum: Online scammers exploiting demand for puppies
• CBC (Canada) - A CKC breeder's experience for soaring demand, and concerns that scammers are stepping in to exploit an opportunity: COVID-19 has doggy demand soaring and scammers taking advantage

Unique Challenges of Ownership (or Being a Dog) During the Pandemic

• Ottawa Citizen (Canada) - A story on the challenges of training and socializing pandemic puppies, and the impact of returning to work: Pandemic puppies' on the rise, but is pet adoption right for you?
• NY Times (USA) - Virtual training tools to help prevent abandonment during/after pandemic due to behaviour issues: Consider Virtual Dog Training for Your Pandemic Puppy
• Politico (Europe) - Pets coping with increased human presence; some people are borrowing pets to circumvent lockdown orders: Pet peeves: Animals react to having their humans on coronavirus lockdown
• Gulf News (UAE): Animals adjust as world governments restrict movement and other activities: COVID-19: How pets and their owners adjust to life during coronavirus pandemic
• The Washington Post (USA) - Several expert offer advice on preparing pets for our eventual return to the workplace: It’s time to start preparing Fluffy and Fido for post-pandemic life

Personal Experiences of Pandemic Puppy Owners

• The Atlantic (USA) - A look at increased demand for puppies and a personal experience of getting a pandemic puppy - mostly focusing on the more positive aspects of the situation: I Got a Pandemic Puppy, and You Can Too
• NPR Boston (USA) - An account of some of the downsides of getting a puppy during the pandemic: Our Pandemic Puppy Was A Terrible Idea
• Toronto Star (Canada) - An author's experience in getting a puppy during the pandemic and a look at the increased demand for dogs/concerns about sources, concerns about possible abandonment after the pandemic: I adopted a dog during the pandemic. Read this before you do the same

Dog Health and Welfare During the Pandemic

• The Conversation (Canada Edition) - Addressing the risks of opportunistic adoption, poor outcomes post-pandemic, and domestic violence: Abuse and abandonment: why pets are at risk during this pandemic
• Forensic Science International: Reports - Scientific paper: ways in which the current pandemic has negatively impacted the welfare of pets. It also highlights the relationships between animal, human, and environmental health: COVID-19 and pets: When pandemic meets panic
• DW (Germany) - Some shelter operators are very concerned about post pandemic abandonment: Germany: A puppy to cope with the pandemic? (German video, English subtitles)
• NBCNews (USA) - People are fostering shelter dogs and cats to keep them company, and many shelters are thrilled. But there are also concerns that people adopting/fostering pets may not be able to afford them long-term: 'The call has been answered': Animal shelters across the U.S. are emptying amid coronavirus pandemic

• Global News (Canada) - A story on people fostering dogs and other pets during the pandemic quarantine period: Canadians embrace pandemic puppies and other creature comfort during COVID-19 crisis 
• Sudbury.com (Canada) - The surge in demand for puppies is resulting in improper breeding and foreign imports of animals that are sick, or worse, sometimes turn up dead: 'Impatient buying' of pets during pandemic hurting health, welfare of animals: OHS