Around this time a couple of years ago, the world was shaken by the discovery and spread of COVID-19. From lockdowns to economic collapse, we have truly seen it all.

The devastation the pandemic has brought did not only affect humans but our dear animals as well.

As almost everyone was forced to stay home 24/7, a sudden surge in animal adoption was recorded. It seems like people wanted a furry companion to help them get through the grueling isolation.

The “pandemic puppy” wave allowed numerous residents to take dogs home with them.

However, as COVID restrictions began to ease up and as our normal lives resume, the number of people surrendering their pandemic dogs has skyrocketed.

Now that people are called to go back to working on-site and the old responsibilities are back, dog owners are starting to realize that caring for a dog might be too much for them to bear.

As per news.com.au, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Victoria has recorded a heartbreaking 150 dog surrenders per month. Also, they have seen a significant reduction of owners claiming lost dogs.

While the RSPCA Victoria would love to welcome these dogs with open arms, the animal rescue’s resources are depleting.

What’s even surprising is, now more than ever, even small dogs are being returned to the shelter. According to RSPCA Victoria’s animal care manager, Nadia Peiris, this “almost never happens.”

Although Victoria had one of the strictest restrictions in the world, Peiris believes that this is not an isolated case and that shelters all over Australia are most likely experiencing the same.

“I would expect that quite a few of our biggest states are seeing capacity issues for sure,” she shared.

RSPCA aside, the German Shepherd Rescue Victoria is also seeing an increase in German Shepherd surrenders. They are receiving about three requests a day, at the very least.

Due to insufficient resources, they had to make the “heartbreaking decision” to temporarily stop accepting surrendered dogs until the Easter holiday is over.

“We cannot cope with the number of dogs that need our help. We are being inundated with surrender requests again; we knew this year would be busier than ever, but this is just too much,” the German Shepherd Rescue Victoria posted on Facebook.

The Animal Medicines Australia stated in 2021 that this pandemic paved the way for the “biggest boom Australia has seen in pet ownership.” There were a recorded one million more dogs in Australian homes compared to 2019. This accounts for 19% of the total pet ownership in the country.

It is truly heartwrenching to watch owners give up their dogs now that the pandemic has eased up.

Animals are not temporary and disposable sources of entertainment, they are lifelong friends that have grown to love and adore us.

With the surrendered dogs piling up, shelters are in need of your help more than ever before.

You may contact RSPCA Victoria or the German Shepherd Rescue Victoria to help them give better living conditions to these precious furry friends.

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Source: 9News, news.com.au, The Animal Rescue Site