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A cat on the keyboard or a dog at your feet to spice up that boring meeting. Now we can keep an office at home. A dog or cat is cozy and that is quite pleasant, especially when adolescents and partners become increasingly cranky after months at home. And: a dog is a good reason for a nice walk – a good stick behind the door now that we are no longer cycling to work and the gyms are closed.
For those who have been in doubt about a pet for some time, this period of home is an opportunity. Suddenly there is plenty of time to get used to a new dog or cat, to educate and to take it outside.
But what do these housemates themselves think about that suddenly very intensive contact with their boss? And is it wise to take a pet now, if you are a bit more at home?
This corona time is not only difficult for people. It can also be a difficult period for animals. Dogs and cats that have been used to a certain rhythm for years, and who are often alone, suddenly have to adapt to the fact that the owner is at home a lot. This is stressful, because dogs and cats also regularly need a moment for themselves. We seek support and comfort from our pets, want extra cuddles, extra attention and extra walking – which has resulted in worn-out callus pads under the legs in some dogs.
You cannot take an animal out of boredom because you are sitting at home
Franck Meijboom, Associate professor
In a similar way, a lot of flexibility is also expected from animals that are now adopted from the shelter. It is quite a change, from a boss who didn’t click (or who died), to a loft alone, to suddenly in a new house with a boss who is constantly at home. How can we best deal with the – new or not – pet during this period?
Vulnerable group
Associate professor of ethics Franck Meijboom specializes in human-animal relationships. He sees that these relationships can come under pressure in a period of crisis. “Pets belong to a vulnerable group. They are completely dependent on us, their owners. ” Animals cannot leave if they want to, so we have to take extra care that they are doing well.
Meijboom sees that many people now adopt an animal from the shelter or buy it from a breeder. He hopes there will be no “impulse purchases”. “You cannot take an animal out of boredom because you are sitting at home. Animals are not shoes. ”
Of course it also has positive sides. A puppy takes a lot of time and needs a lot of attention, especially in the first few weeks. That time is now. “It is nice that they can get used to us, but do everything to let your puppy socialize, make sure it gets to know other people but also other dogs.”
Hopefully, people not only ask themselves whether they can take care of the pet now, but also what it means for the animal. “Knowing that life will probably look completely different in a few months.”
Dik Nagtegaal of the Animal Protection Service sees that considerably more animals are being removed from the shelter. “In April we saw that there were about two hundred fewer animals in the shelter. Normally, the number of animals in the shelter is fairly constant – something goes away, something comes in. But now that dropped considerably. ”
The shelter dogs and cats are not given just like that, he assures. Adoption has always been preceded by a ‘tough selection procedure’, but it is now even more extensive.
Often, and that was the case before the lockdown, people rely on the appearance of a dog or cat. But that says nothing about the character of a pet and whether there is a “match” in terms of lifestyle. A hunting dog who wants to walk endlessly will not fit in a flat with a person who does not like walking. A sensitive and nervous yelp does not suit that family with young children who like to go out.
Stay away from my animal
So there is always asked about the family situation, whether there is a garden or a yard, whether another pet is already present and how it is financially. Dik Nagtegaal: “If the dog’s character does not suit your situation, we will sell no. And nowadays people are also asked how they want to arrange care when they are expected to return to work. ”
There is an interim solution for those who would like a pet but do not know whether they have enough time after corona. Provide a foster dog or foster cat as long as necessary for people who are temporarily unable to do so themselves. This is possible, for example, at ‘Stay with my Animal’, an organization that ensures that pets in unsafe situations find temporary shelter with a host family.
Also read: Can animals from different countries understand each other?
Director Rianne Haaijema, who completed her training in animal management with an investigation into domestic violence and animal cruelty, founded the foundation. She says, “Research found that 40 percent of women postpone their flight from home for an average of one year when a pet is involved.” She wanted to offer a solution for the animal, so that the owner – usually women – can bring herself to safety.
At the moment, there are remarkably few reports of people in an unsafe home situation. Silence before the storm is feared, among other things by the cabinet, that the campaign “I suspect domestic violence” has expanded. The accompanying site states that tensions can increase because of the many staying at home, and advice is given on what you can do for yourself or someone else.
In the meantime, Stay van mijn Dier also offers shelter for the pets of people who are hospitalized because of corona. Haaijema: “An older man called us in advance to ask if we wanted to take care of his cats when he became ill.”
It is precisely when the measures are relaxed that Stay will receive many requests from my Animal, she thinks. “It would be nice if people were ready to take in an animal.”
In the long run, she hopes that every shelter for women also allows pets. “In many shelters, clients get their own apartment. It would be nice if animals are allowed to come along. This is important for the children and the owners, also for the trauma processing. They have already lost everything, you don’t want to take their pet away from them. ”
Platform for questions
Franck Meijboom and his colleague Saskia Arndt research how we deal with animals during this crisis and whether their behavior is different as a result. It is precisely because we see so many of our pets now that we can gather a lot of information, he says. In addition to the public survey where they gather insights about the adaptability of animals, which is essential for their welfare, they also launched the online community platform PetTails.nl. Here animal owners can go for reliable information about welfare, behavior and health, but also with specific questions about their animal.
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Also read: Are we looking for extra comfort in animals, now that we are all caged?
Dik Nagtegaal of the Dierenbescherming hopes that many animals will find a home due to this crisis. “The shelter is an intermediate station and you would prefer to see that there are no animals there at all.”
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