Dog Rescue, Lifestyle

Homeless Pet Numbers Rise

After record pet adoptions seen in the U.S. during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelters are filling back up again.

The increase in homeless pets is two-fold: a decrease in pet adoptions and an increase in animal intake numbers. According to Best Friends Animal Society and 24PetWatch, adoptions are down 3.7% overall in 2021.

Compared to 2020 numbers, animal intake was up 5.9% in the month of June, a time of year when shelters become overwhelmed with kittens.

Shelters also continue to suffer from pandemic-related challenges, including understaffing and logistical issues surrounding adoption events and public access to shelters.

Tags: Dogster Magazine, Obsessions, Rescue

Jackie Brown

Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian's Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101 and the Popular Cats Series. Prior to starting her career in publishing, Jackie spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons and miniature poodle Jäger. Reach her at jackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com.

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