Coronavirus Australia: Self-isolation drives surge in pet adoptions, RSPCA reports

The RSPCA has witnessed a surge in adoptions as people desperately seek companionship. And the process is about to become easier than ever before.

With people being forced to self-isolate across the country, it seems many are looking to curb their loneliness with a furry friend.

RSPCA NSW has seen a huge increase in adoptions across the state’s shelters and Petbarn adoption centres over the last two weeks, a spokesperson confirmed, with just over 500 animals being adopted across the state.

“We have seen so many animals go into their forever homes, and we hope they’re bringing you some much needed love, warmth and company,” RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said.

With all RSPCA NSW shelters and care centres being closed to the public since April 2, the organisation has moved swiftly to introduce its “adopt from home” process.

It allows for the entire adoption to be processed via phone or video call, and the animals are then brought to their new homes by RSPCA staff.

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The RSPCA has introduced ‘virtual adoptions’, as lonely Aussies rush to adopt pets amid the pandemic. Picture: Supplied.

ADOPT FROM HOME

The pet adoption changes come as further restrictions were announced by the Federal Government, with everyone advised to stay home as much as possible to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“We are adapting to the changes as best we can to give our animals an opportunity to find loving homes, and to ensure our doors are still open for animals in need,” Mr Coleman said.

The uptick represents an increase of 28 per cent in adoptions across the state, compared to this time last year. For Petbarn adoption centres alone, the increase has been a staggering 48 per cent compared to this time last year.

During this time, RSPCA NSW is committed to finding loving homes for all our available animals.

Read all about our new adoption process here: https://t.co/i4lcvxZmS3 pic.twitter.com/WJOB8YES1l

— RSPCA NSW (@RSPCANSW) April 1, 2020

Though the new adoption process will take place via phone or video call, normal adoption procedures will still apply to ensure every animal goes home with the right family.

Those wishing to adopt from home should fill out an appointment request form and a staff member will then be in touch.

There are still some compulsory purchase requirements involved, such as a carry box and/or lead and car harness. The RSPCA also ensures that adopters have all of the essentials needed to ensure the success of their new pet in the home.

Once the adoption is approved, an RSPCA staff member will drive the animal to their potential new home for a final meet-and-greet. If everyone is happy, the adoption will be finalised.

“It’s a longer process, there are a lot of resources going into it, and we’ve only got a limited a number of people able to go out and do that kind of stuff,” said a RSPCA spokesperson.

The RSPCA notes the changes to the usual adoption process are temporary, and purely in place in order to carry on business as usual despite the pandemic.

All animals available for adoption can be found online.

‘We are adapting to the changes as best we can to give our animals an opportunity to find loving homes,’ says RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman.

With so many of us working from home during this crisis, the @RSPCA has seen a surge in enquiries to foster pets.

Tonight on @abc730 we meet two of them 🐶🐶

This 👇 is Jimmy (and a very unimpressed feline housemate) pic.twitter.com/clwJgDL45e

— Nadia Daly (@nadiasdaly) April 1, 2020

COVID-19 RISK WITH PETS

With extensive coverage of the pandemic worldwide, some have been reluctant to adopt pets based on reports of COVID-19 transmission between animals and humans.

“Please know, there is currently no evidence that companion animals play a role in the spread of COVID-19 virus, or that they become sick if exposed to the virus,” the RSPCA said in a statement.

While the organisation has seen an increase in adoptions, COVID-19 is still impacting other areas of the organisation.

Donations and fundraising activities have suffered in particular, as well as the forced closure of op-shops, volunteering, and veterinary hospital consults.

An important announcement today regarding the #RSPCA #MillionPawsWalk in 2020. The RSPCA is adapting our much-loved national dog walking event by launching 'Million Paws Walk: Walk This May'. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/BIOsInvNc6

— RSPCA Australia (@RSPCA) March 20, 2020

“We have over 2500 animals in our care, and it costs about $19 per day to ensure each one is safe, well fed and looked after,” an RSPCA spokesperson told news.com.au.

“So it’s really important that people keep supporting the organisation in whatever way they can.”

In response to the ongoing developments of COVID-19, the RSPCA has foregone its annual Million Paws Walk fundraiser – which was pencilled in for May 17 – in favour of an iso-friendly event.

According to its website, “This new event will see dog owners hit the pavement in their own neighbourhoods and backyards, responsibly walking to fight animal cruelty in the month of May.”

Participants are still encouraged to fundraise in the lead-up to the event with money raised from online fundraising and merchandise sales used to support RSPCA’s work within the community, including caring for more than 124,000 animals that come through its shelters each year.

For more details, visit their website.