Pandemic Causing Problems for Pets

(Farmington) Animal welfare groups say the pandemic is exacerbating the overpopulation crisis for cats and dogs.

According to Lisa Lange with “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,” more than 6-million cats and dogs enter shelters in the U.S. each year.

And with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, she explains shelters are unable to let people come in for pet adoptions, or host off-site adoption events.

Instead of purchasing a pet from a breeder, Lange urges Missourians to always adopt from animal shelters.

Right now, many are holding appointment-based adoptions.

She says a silver lining to the pandemic has been the uptick in people becoming pet foster parents, which takes pressure off the shelter system.

A survey conducted before the pandemic estimated that 44-percent of Missouri pet owners struggle to afford their pets.

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