Pandemic Pets: Welcoming Your Community’s Newest Furry Friends

by | Aug 19, 2021 | Board Education, Community Education

Pandemic Pet Adoptions Rise

 

The pandemic has made cause for many unexpected circumstances, with one positive being the rise in furry friends joining family homes. Stay-at-home mandates have caused families, and those feeling isolated, to seek companionship in dogs, cats, and other animals. Studies have shown that having pets can have a huge improvement on mental and physical well-being.

According to a January 2021 survey conducted by Rover, a pet-sitting website, pet adoptions skyrocketed throughout 2020. It was reported that nearly half (49%) of U.S. residents got a new dog during the pandemic, and 64% of all pets were adopted from a rescue shelter, or re-homed from another family.

Ardent Residential community member walking her dog

Pet Peeves

For condominium and home-owner associations, the growing number of pets in the community has caused an uptick in complaints.  Most commonly these include people not picking up their pet’s waste, not properly leashing their pet, excessive barking, and aggressive behavior. Some Associations have increased fines and tweaked rules for pets, while others have started to fast-track plans for community dog parks. Still others are dedicated to providing pet owners with useful information and house-breaking tips.

Pet-Friendly Policies

Abby Volin, Attorney and President of the animal accommodation law firm Opening Doors, claims the influx of four-legged friends in condominium communities creates the opportunity to brainstorm and rethink policies that will prompt pet-inclusivity. As we settle into our new way of living, here are some other practices Volin has offered up to facilitate pet-inclusivity:

    • Ensure pet rules are concise, fair, and well-communicated so residents can be held accountable while an opportunity is being provided that will make them happier and better pet parents.

    • If you don’t already have a sufficient amount of dog waste stations in your community, get them. If some still aren’t picking up after their dog, consider DNA tracing, installing cameras, or sending residents rewards for having the job done right.

    • Consider social activities that could be hosted for your condominium residents and their pets, such as inviting a trainer to run classes outside or a pet behaviorist to give a lecture.

The Shift From Remote

As we begin to return to work away from home, a real obstacle becomes canine separation anxiety and the barking that will usually come with it. This is particularly true for condominiums or similar units with shared walls between residents.
The Humane Society of the United States suggests that for cases of minor separation anxiety, it’s crucial not to make a big deal when coming home or leaving for work. It is advised that owners ignore the dog for a few minutes upon arrival, then calmly pet. In more serious cases, an over-the-counter calming product might be helpful.

Pet Parent Care

With more people spending time at home, adopting a cat or dog in the last year was a timely decision. But as these new pet parents start to reacclimate to a post-pandemic lifestyle in the months ahead, they’ll likely need additional support. Of those surveyed by Rover.com, 80% of pet owners said they anticipate having to leave their pet alone for the first time to return to work. Here is what else this survey showed:

  • 83% of pet owners said they will spend as much or more on pet care in the next 6 months as they did in the previous 6 months. Among millennial pet owners, 52% plan to spend more.
  • In the next 6 months, over 80% of pet owners anticipate needing to hire a pet sitter. That number jumps to 85% among pet owners under 30.

Pandemic Pets

Love Conquers All

If the last year+ proves anything, it’s that our pets helped us through the most challenging of times. In fact, over 90% of pet owners are still completely happy with their decision to get a “pandemic pet.” As long as we continue to cherish and nurture our bond with them, they’ll be there for us during tough times whenever the need arises.

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