SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — At the heart of the pandemic 18 months ago, a common theme for Central New Yorkers was adopting a dog .The CNY SPCA noticed some adopted dogs from this time period are being returned to the shelter. One potential reason for this could be the record-breaking heat that has occurred in Central New York this summer.
CNY SPCA workers believe the ages of the dogs being returned is about 18 months, which lines up to the start of the pandemic. One indication is these owners no longer want or have time to take care of these dogs.
“We’ve had a lot of strays come in recently,” said Humane Educator Dee Schaefer.” I don’t think it’s the heat. I think people are getting tired of their pandemic puppies and they’re getting loose and they’re not looking for them .”
Schaefer said since Covid-19 restrictions eased, some dog owners find themselves a lot busier than before, leaving little time to tend to an animal.
As the shelter struggles with more strays, the number of adoptions is dropping.
“More people are staying inside,” said Schaefer. ” We’re not getting as many adopters coming through right now. And I think it’s just because it’s hot, they’re staying inside.”
For more information on the shelter visit https://cnyspca.org/
