I think they will love them before we are out of this--thus keeping them. At least I hope so.

There are also stories about cons, scams and fraud related to pets. So the crooks are taking advantage of people. A neighbor's friend went looking for a new pup after her old dog passed away. Came across a person selling indeterminate mixed breed puppies for a $3000+ "adoption" fee. And the state Attorney General warned of sending money before seeing a dog--- your money is gone forever, there is no dog and the crooks got away with it (but are being pursued).

i agree with you 100%. i think this is especially true when a puppy is bought to entertain a bored, stuck-at-home child. far too many people don't give a moment of thought to a commitment that could potentially last 15+ years. child eventually gets bored, parents eventually resent the dog and it's obvious who will suffer.

a year from now, maybe sooner, shelters and rescues will be inundated with these now-adult dogs, probably many of them with behavioral issues because they were bought on an impulse with very little thought to training, etc. at this point, it is practically impossible to properly socialize a puppy which, to me, is one of the most important parts of training one!

A few people on my street have gotten new pups this year. They are already a part of the family and I am sure they will not be getting rid of them.

My neighbors are responsible people who would not get a dog without thinking it through. I am sure there are those who got a dog for entertainment and will dump it when they have to go back to work or school. It’s very sad. A dog is a big commitment.

My DD has been advocating very hard for a dog. We've decided to wait a year for this very reason.

There's also the stories of people who, without jobs, can't afford to feed the pets they already had, and are giving them up or just turning them loose to fend for themselves. Sad!!

I’ve also started seeing articles on helping your dog adjust to when people go back to work or school. I can relate to this. DS has been doing online or part-time classes for a few years now, and his cat loves it. When he was away for a semester, she suddenly started jumping up on MY lap and getting in MY way, and hanging out in MY space, and walking around the house looking for him. I had to move one of her beds to my space for her.

While it is certainly true that a percent of these adopted puppies will be rehomed or taken to a shelter once more normal schedules return, some of them were likely slated for euthanasia at the time of adoption. So was the adoption putting off the inevitable? I don't think so, at least some of the adopted animals will continue to have happy homes.

There is a difference and I hope it matters. The people who adopt these puppies are at home to train them. Easter is a big exciting day then everybody is back on the commuter type schedule leaving the pet at home. Naturally, the pet doesn't get the attention it needs to become part of the family and that's why it is returned.

Our beloved rescue Shar Pei passed away in May and we have been searching for a dog for the last couple months without success. We contemplated putting a deposit on a puppy but decided to wait as we speculate there will be rescues available as soon as people return to working outside the home. Whether it be a rescue or a puppy, there is always a huge training commitment involved. This last rescue took us 4 months before he could be handled without gloves, learned to walk down stairs, ride in a car and learn basic commands. He was a love once trained.

I agree. Also a lot of houses will be foreclosed on. When you lose your home and have to go look for a rental........pups may lose their home.

My neighbor is going to look for a cat through a rescue. I applaud her. Any day is a good day to rescue a new furbaby.

I feel like you cannot live your life worrying about what might happen. Take the chance, get the dog or cat, from rescue or breeder, and make it a part of your family. I'm betting many more times than not, things work out for the better. Of course you have to make reasonable decisions to make sure any animal you bring home will get what it needs to be happy and healthy.

The difference when people return to what was normal is that the pet is suddenly alone. Those walks or being allowed out when wanted are no longer there. Some people can forgive a couple of accidents but some after the first time the pet is gotten rid of. A bored pet of any kind can become destructive be they dog, cat or other creature.

However there will be some that self train like the dog that we had who developed kidney failure who used the cats litter box until it was too late. There are some people who have never had a pet especially a dog who will keep them because they now mentally and emotionally need them.

Maybe an opportunity for more dog-walkers, doggie day cares, poo collection services, etc.

I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand it's wonderful that so many shelter pets now have homes. But will they be "forever" homes? I don't know. I do know this:

I live in an area popular for vacationing. It's well known here that some people adopt animals for the summer. It seems unbelievable, but they bring a dog or cat into their homes "for the kids," and then when the family goes back to the city they leave the animal behind. What a lesson to teach the kids.

As long as animals aren’t being bred to fill the need, the ones being adopted are better off then spending time in a shelter. Aren‘t they?

It’s been our experience that dogs adapt well to change. We’ve gone from stay at home people to full time work, traveling from primary residence to lake cabin, house full of people to empty nest. Our dogs seem to be just fine.

I don't know. There is so much out there on how to be a good owner that I think a lot of these animals will be better off. There are bad owners, but I see less tolerance for them. Hopefully, the numbers will be less than in years past.

LOL, Bob--so cute! My smallest cat, who is shy of real life people, is fascinated with Zoom images on my monitor.

I'm sorry your rescue cat didn't make it, but at least it had a period of happiness and care in the barn.

I've been looking for a companion for my dog. What I have found is that the shelters in my area have tons of cats and very few dogs. As in 40+ cats and 2 dogs. Many of those dogs are pits/ pit mixes, a breed that I'm not interested in.

The other thing that I have noticed is pandemic inflation in the price of pure bred pups. My son & SO purchased a Golden Retriever puppy less than a year ago. Their breeder has more pups available but the price has gone up 20% over last years' price. Supply & demand, I suppose?

I want a companion animal; I don't want a $3K Westie or a $3K Sheltie. Just an ordinary dog with flaws. Like my character Sheltie with one tipped ear & one floppy ear. (How'd that happen, I wonder!). Spend a whopping amount for a dog & something is going to happen to it...it gets stolen out of your backyard or it darts out the door and under the wheels of the UPS truck or develops some genetic disease because of the diminishing gene pool....

Have started looking into organizations that transport dogs from southern shelters. The again, I may just sit out a while and be there to adopt a pandemic puppy in a year or two? Though it is hard for me to believe that people would surrender a dog--I'd almost rather give up my firstborn (j/K} before giving up my dog--but I know it happens.

@ci_lantro have you checked with any rescues (as opposed to local shelters)? rescues are bursting at the seams with dogs and many are willing to transport if they are a distance away from you. if you have a specific breed in mind, do a google search for specialized rescues. if you don't have a specific breed, just google rescues in your area. i can almost guarantee you will find lots of dogs. :)

Cilantro where are you located? I'm in Central Ky and the local humane society has a miniature pincher, beagle/coonhound and a white husky available right now.

I'm in central WI. So no Yorkies or Chihuahuas. No pit or pit mix. I adored our Lab and would get another in a heartbeat if I was 20 years younger. But Labs are just too big for me. Or most of them. I did see a lovely, almost fox red lab when I was at the vet a couple of years ago. He was around 2 years old and weighed in at 50#'s. IF only I could get one that size. Our lab was around 90#'s.

I have a Sheltie--He's a medium size dog, weighs 38#. He's wound pretty tight. Needs a companion. DSII moved in w/ a friend in September (Covid) & has since (November) moved to TX. Rusty is very attached to DSII. Then I was in AZ for 8 days in October. While I was gone, Rusty would not come inside the house; DH had to call DSII to 'try' to get Rusty inside, usually without success. He stayed outside nearly 24/7. After I returned, he will scarcely let me out of his sight. When the granddog visits, Rusty is super happy & will run & play outside for hours w/ his buddy. When GD leaves, Rusty goes back to being borderline neurotic. Conclusion is that Rusty needs a full time buddy dog. (Granddog hasn't been here because DSI has had Covid--getting tested tomorrow to see if he's clear to go back to work.)

So I'm open to about any mid-size dog that is up to rough & tumble play. I have a fondness for herding dogs but whatever breed/ cross/ mutt that is a bit more laid back & tough enough to handle some cold & a rambunctious Sheltie. Also would like one with a somewhat more out-going personality than the typical Sheltie. Because I think that would also be a benefit for Rusty.

Yes, I've started to look into rescues. I know of people around here who have adopted thru those rescues that transport from shelters in the south. What I've been reading is that these dogs are getting snapped up quickly and the rescue organizations have waiting lists. And, DH & I are in quarantine for a few more days because of exposure to DSI.

ci_lantro, do you have a way to get in touch with neighbors -- via internet, bulletin board or other? I'm thinking you could find a suitable playmate for your dog and invite them for a backyard visit. Or, look into a paid doggie day care. My neighbor does both for her young dog and says having a couple play dates per week makes all the difference.

Our young lab seems to be topping out at 55 pounds, but she was the runt of the litter. If we lived closer she'd be a great friend for Rusty :-)

Did you try Petfinder.com? You can put in parameters of what you are looking for.

I found a cute 48 lb. lab mix named Fred near Milwaukee.

Yes, I've looked at Petfinder and a bunch of others. Off n' on. Haven't been dedicated to the search. It's usually when Rusty gets squirrely that I start looking again.

He's been really happy lately since we've been allowing him car rides but he's reluctant to go with DH if I'm not going along. When I go, he wants to ride shotgun in my lap so I usually end up sitting in the back seat & letting him have the front passenger seat! He's getting a seat belt/ car harness after this Visa bill arrives (Christmas spending!)

How is Fred working out for you, MM? Labs are some extra special dogs!

I just saw Fred and thought you might like him. He's in Wisconsin. I'm not in the market for another dog. I'm pretty sure Carmelita would not be happy.

Oh, I just went thru Petfinder yesterday & didn't see him. I'll have to go back & look again. Set the search for w/in 100 mi. Milwaukee is a bit over 100 miles from me.

I was thinking about a yellow lab that I found on Craigslist. He was a beautiful dog but I needed time to think it over. He was 6 YO; Rusty just turned 2 & is still full of P&V...so maybe too much for an older dog.

When our Lab passed, it totally broke my heart, more so than with any other dog I have lost. I still miss him almost every day; he touched my heart more than any of the other dogs I have loved...so that was another factor giving me pause about adopting an older lab. But last night I went back to find him & the listing was gone. I'm sure the owner must have found a home for him.

No Fred :-(. Labs are very popular here in WI so he probably got a new home quickly.

LOL, 'Carmelita' does sound like a diva name, bless her!

I have had the same issue with cats. Last time my fluffer doodle (Keegan kitty) died, I tried to wait and just couldn't, so I got my baby fluff (Maggie Moo) within a few weeks. It turned out well, we loved each other so much! She helped me through, as I find cats my coping mechanism. And, I have something to offer, a skill that brings shell shocked kitties out off their hidey holes. Whatever it is, I can help them. I knew her time was coming since she's been so ill for awhile. I too am getting up there in years, and I know I am down to having either one or two more cats, total. I can love Maggie, grieve her, and still find room in my heart for more.

I am meeting someone on Friday. But boy it was hard to find anyone to even meet! There are no cats in any PetSmarts (how we showcase rescues here) whatsoever. I thought to myself, they'll be back. But I love all the points made on this thread, that pets may end up in forever homes now that they might not have had a chance, had this one not presented itself, and maybe it's a stimulus to other tangential economies. If all goes well, Islay (maybe, haven't decided her new name yet, but surely not what it currently is) will be joining our household on Friday. She will have a forever home, and will leave a spot for another foster kitty. I will hope that is the case for many of these. I too dread the thought of people surrendering them back or abandoning them.

LOL, ci_lantro, Carmelita is, indeed, a diva. She's not mean towards other dogs but tries to stay away as far as possible. I had another dog, Fred, a miniature schnauzer, that was here when I got Carmelita as a puppy. I have never raised a puppy before so maybe it was something I did or didn't do to make her so shy. Fred and Carmelita were together for 7 years before he passed. They got along fine but were never best friends. Now that she is the only dog, she is happy.

I'm sorry (and yet glad) the Wisconsin Fred is gone already. I didn't know where in Wisconsin you live so I just picked a Milwaukee zip code to see what was out there. I like that you can pick gender, weight and age when looking. Good luck in your search. I know you will find the right fit for you and Rusty.

Oh, she's a cutie. Wearing a "You do know that I'm the Boss, right?" expression!

I'm in central Wisconsin so about anywhere in the state isn't too far.