Perhaps one of the positives to the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders is the rise of pet adoptions. However, the Animal Rescue League of Boston is seeing an increase in abandoned pets outside of their shelters.
While experts say pet ownership is beneficial during this time of isolation, a more jarring issue is beginning to appear: pet abandonment.
Just last week alone, the Animal Rescue League (ARL) found a pair of guinea pigs and a cat left outside of their shelters. The owners did not contact anyone in the shelter, so these pets were found outside by luck. They are currently being quarantined for two weeks in case of possible exposure to the COVID-19.
ARL Law Enforcement Director Lt. Alan Borgal says this is, unfortunately, a common occurrence for the ARL and other organizations. Given the shaky nature of the
“Surrendering an animal is certainly not an easy decision,” Borgal said in a press release. “However, ARL as an organization exists to help both animals and people, and if surrender is necessary, there are no judgments, no shaming, no accusations,” he said. “We just want what’s best for both the animal and the people involved. Additionally, surrender gives us, as animal caregivers, the opportunity to learn more about the animal’s behavior and habits, which further help ARL find a suitable match for a new home.”
All pet owners are encouraged to reach out to others if they need support, instead of abandoning animals outside of the shelter. People who need to surrender an animal are asked to call ARL’s Boston, Dedham, or Brewster Intake Offices at 617-426-9170.
