PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — By keeping so many people inside their homes for so long, the coronavirus pandemic has transformed lives around the globe — and that includes pets. A Philadelphia veterinarian wants to help prepare pets for the day their humans return to work.
"It’s definitelty been a wonderful dog world," said Dr. Jennifer Jones, with One Love Veterinary Clinic in Germantown.
Jones says, during the pandemic, pet adoptions spiked because people were home and had time to train and welcome a new furry family member.
"It’s a big puppy boom is what I'd call it. Puppies everywhere," Jones said.
Most pets are creatures of habit, and they have probably gotten used to people being home all day. A human suddenly returning to the workplace, and staying away for a many hours each day, may be a bit of a shock for a pet.
"There are going to be some unhappy dogs out there," Jones said. "They have been loving all of this attention."
Those dogs will need to adjust to a new situation at home. And breaking up that puppy routine is exactly what Charles La Fontaine and his family are worried about.
Like many households, during the pandemic they adopted a puppy. And soon they will be going back to work, leaving the animal alone.
"Our dog, Nellie ... was just always used to everyone in the househould always being home. We have tried leaving her home for an hour or two, but ... coming home, it’s this 'Where were you for so long?'" La Fontaine said.
"It’s sad to leave her, but also worrisome to know how she will act and feel when we aren’t home."
Jones says that’s par for the course, and many pets may act out and show signs of anxiety.
"Owners may expect destructive behavior, house soiling, things like that," she said.
So Jones suggests pet owners get started now, before the return to the office.
"Have a dog walker come home for lunch, at least, so you are breaking up those initial days, so it’s not 10 hours that you are gone," she said.
Not everyone can afford a dog walker or doggy daycare, so she says pet owners can consider having a neighbor check in or installing cameras that allow them to see and speak to the animal remotely.
And the best advice she says she can give: "Make the time you do have quality time."
Extra attention, extra walks will go a long way, she says, because pets appreciate quality time too.