The Lost Dogs Home warns potential pet adopters to consider whether a pet is right for them

Being stuck at home in isolation might seem like the perfect time to adopt a new furry friend, but one northwest pet adoption agency is warning people – pets are not just for corona.

People at the Lost Dogs Home are urging potential pet adopters to consider carefully before they jump the gun on adopting during coronavirus. Picture: Tony Gough

Moonee Valley Lost Dogs Home is imploring people to make careful choices when it comes to adopting pets during coronavirus isolation.

While telling Leader last week it was a perfect time to adopt a pet, The Lost Dogs Home spokeswoman Suzana Talevski said they did not want to be inundated with dogs being handed back into the home, post coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Talevski said people should Evaluate, Research and Act before they adopt, to minimise major surrender numbers.

Employees at Moonee Valley’s Lost Dogs Home are concerned they will receive an influx in pets surrendered to the home post coronavirus. Picture: Josie Hayden

“Despite our stringent adoption processes, it really is heartbreaking watching some of our beautiful animals returned because people didn’t fully consider their potential obligations to the animal,” Ms Talevski said.

“For the animal adopted, its life changing, many come from horrific circumstances such as cruelty, neglect and abandonment.”

Ms Talevski said potential owners should look at their living environment, lifestyle and those that exist within the household to determine if a dog would be a good fit.

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She encouraged research in the type of animal considered for adoption, and whether or not the breed would do well in a quiet or busy home environment.

Finally, she said prospective owners must make a responsible decision.

“Shelter staff work tirelessly to nurse animals back to health, rehabilitate animals with behaviour issues and do everything they possibly can to ensure they are prepared to go to a new home,” Ms Talevski said.

“When they leave our shelter, we want to make sure it’s for the first and last time.”

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