Facebook page started by Lindisfarne animal lover Amanda Thompson goes global

Lindisfarne animal lover Amanda Thompson started a Facebook page so a few of her friends with pets could share photos and updates during lockdown— but the page is still growing several months later, with followers from more than 40 countries.

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When COVID-19 lockdown hit, Lindisfarne animal lover Amanda Thompson was worried she wouldn’t get to see her friend’s golden retriever for a few months.

So she started a Facebook page (Pets of Isolation – What’s Your Pet Doing Today?) so a few of her friends with pets could share photos and updates.

From left, Liz Roberts with son Elliott, 1, and her dog Penny the golden retriever with her good friend Amanda Thompson. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

But Ms Thompson had no idea the concept would be so popular and the page is still growing several months later, with more than 7700 followers from more than 40 countries around the world.

“It has just become its own little community,’’ she said of the page.

“I think because it is pets-based and it is friendly. And everyone loves pets.’’

Photo posted to the Pets of Isolation - What's Your Pet Doing Today? Facebook page. Picture: KELL SPENCER

Ms Thompson said even though Tasmanians were no longer in lockdown, many people were now permanently working from home or spending more of their downtime at home.

Which meant they were also spending more time with their precious pets.

Photo posted to the Pets of Isolation - What's Your Pet Doing Today? Facebook page. Picture: TANYA LOUISE

She said the page, which is brimming with humorous photos of cute animals — from dogs and cats to pet chickens, reptiles and goats — was also good for providing some light relief from the doom and gloom in the world.

Ms Thompson said not only had the page been a great way to keep in touch with her friend Liz Roberts and her beloved golden retriever Penny, but she’d also made a few new friends — both animal and human — via the page.

Photo posted to the Pets of Isolation - What's Your Pet Doing Today? Facebook page. Picture: MARIA BRIGGS