Nicole Simone is the CEO and Founder of Redemption Paws, a foster-based, shelter free dog rescue based in Canada. Below, Nicole explains how the last two years, while uncertain for so many other areas, have actually resulted in a boon concerning dog adoptions.
There's no denying that the last two years have brought a negative impact to so many industries. From infrastructure to education, it's common to hear updates on how the pandemic continues to affect the lives of business owners, employees, and customers worldwide.
However, if there's one good thing to come from this devastating time according to Nicole Simone, it's the positive effect on dog adoption. More dogs are being adopted than ever before, bringing joy to new pet-owning families, animal activists and shelter owners.
Pandemic Leads to Record Adoptions and a Decrease in Dog Euthanasia
Nicole Simone of Redemption Paws explains that typically, many shelter dogs need to be euthanized if shelters can't find a long-term home for them, and shelter space is extremely limited in many cases. However, shelters report that there was a large increase in adoptions during 2022 and that this increase in adoptions has led to fewer dogs needing to be euthanized.
There are several factors at play. In 2020, research indicates a surge in adoptions due to people being more at home. This led to an almost 50% reduction in shelter animals needing to be euthanized. According to
The Best Friends Animal Society, there was a 44% decline in the number of euthanasia events for dogs and cats during 2020. Nicole Simone reports that while they saw an uptick in applications, due to COVID restrictions they were only able to rescue a similar amount of dogs from the previous years. Border issues and volunteer shortages made things more difficult.
The Best Friends Animal Society organization's annual statistics revealed a national save rate of 83%, up from 2019's 79%. The society shows that a 90% save rate is the necessary figure for the sector to achieve “no-kill” status. This takes into account that around 10% of animals brought to shelters have illnesses or injuries that warrant humane euthanasia.
The animal society put 2020's success down to exceptional community support during this time. It suggested that it is crucial to continue to build on this momentum.
Despite Fears, New Dog Owners are Not Returning Pets
Some reports suggest that people are returning dogs at a rapid rate following 2020 now that many are returning to work. However,
data from shelters nationwide, including dog-owner and animal welfare expert interviews, reveal that people have bonded closely with their adopted pets during the stressful time of the pandemic. Most people, therefore, have indicated no intention of returning their dogs to a shelter. Great news, according to Redemption Paws and Nicole Simone. ”Not many people have returned dogs, we were worried that might happened but Canadians are committed to their dogs” reports Nicole Simone.
The shelter community's concern was that once people started to return to a more normal life again, they would find looking after a pet as well onerous. Some alarmist news reports are saying pets are being returned in droves. However, experts say shelters are not reporting massive animal return statistics.
The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported in a statement that the organization's statistics did not provide evidence of an increase in owners bringing dogs back to shelters. Monthly figures from data capturing entity PetPoint show that more pets are coming in to shelters, yet this is a return to normal figures from before the start of the pandemic.
Staffing Shortages at Dog Shelters
Redemption Paws is a shelter-free rescue and it’s important to understand this different approach. 100% of the organization’s efforts are centered around fostering, providing support such as getting dogs to vet appointments, and ultimately getting dogs rehomed.
Nicole Simone explains that despite the positive reports of animal homing, shelters are more recently facing staffing challenges. The cause is linked to the nationwide employee shortage, also known as
The Great Resignation.
This reduction in staff availability means shelter operations are reduced, and fewer animals can be taken in and cared for, and therefore, fewer adoptions can occur. Smaller shelters must rely on being able to send pets to larger shelters that have greater adoption rates.
Nicole Simone notes that there is also currently a shortage of veterinarians who are able to service shelters. This was initially due to dog adoption veterinary processes not being labeled “essential” work. The lack of vet care means there is a delay in the health check, vaccination and sterilization process that shelter animals must go through before joining their new families.
The delay allows for time for people to think about what they are undertaking, which could impact the completion of dog adoptions in time. This year's statistics will show the impact of this situation.
On the upside, volunteer shelter staff are starting to return following calls for aid, and shelters are hopeful that the staffing shortage will cease to be as much of a challenge as 2022 progresses. Shelters report that fundraising endeavors, while a little slow, are assisting to keep shelters' heads above water.
Conclusion
In spite of the overwhelming challenges faced by many businesses and especially charitable organizations, Nicole Simone says that the statistics show the results are mostly positive for dog adoption. As animal welfare organizations like Redemption Paws report, this is due to community support, continued adoption of pets, and overall effort.
The fostering and rehoming process is proving the most successful way to go.
