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Shelters Have Seen an Increase in Return Pets After the Pandemic Pets Returned to Animal Shelters

SPCA Animal Shelter-Syracuse, NY

By Alexis Raleigh

Central New York’s society for the prevention of cruelty to animals has been overwhelmed with the number of pets being returned to the shelter this year.
SPCA manager dee Schaefer has been working day and night to make sure all animals are taken care of during these stressful times.

Schaefer says that during covid many people wanted a companion but quickly realized that a pet is a lot of work and found out they were incapable of the responsibility.
she also says that the number of animals being surrendered will not get better anytime soon.

“All of us in the rescue community are saying that the perfect storm is brewing and we think it’s going to get much worse, we really truly do,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer says the animals they are seeing come back to them aren’t feral or strays rather pets belonging to families.

“I would say a good 85% of what we’re getting in now are owner surrenders,” Schaefer said.

Because of the increase in of returned animals, foster care has been needed during this time.
SPCA staff worker and foster parent Cee Cee Andrews has been fostering strays for more than 10 years and enjoys every minute of it.

Although many would find it stressful fostering animals at once, Andrews enjoys it and treats them like they are hers.

“For us, they fit right in we have four rabbits and two guinea pigs ourselves, all of them are from here and we just mold the fosters right into our routine,” Andrews said.

The SPCA is always open to donations, volunteers and foster homes as they deal with this animal crisis.

SYRACUSE, NY (N.C.C NEWS) – 2020 left people lonely and at times bored, turning to pets such as dogs and cats for good company. After lockdown several of these animals are now seen behind bars once again.

Central New York’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has seen a large increase in pets being returned back to the shelters after their owners have come out of lockdown. SPCA manager Dee Schaefer says there have been about 40 to 50 pets that have been released back to her and her staff each month this year. Schaefer says that she doesn’t see this issue resolving anytime soon, in fact mostly getting more challenging.

“All of us in the rescue community are saying that the perfect storm is brewing and we think it’s going to get much worse,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer is saddened by the number of owners who are turning in their furry friends because they feel they have no use for them anymore after the pandemic.

“I would say a good 85% of what we’re getting in now are owner surrenders,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer says that although many of the pets they are receiving arent strays or ferals they still do have many animals come in that were left abandoned and homeless and because of that, the need for foster care is in need at this time.

SPCA staff worker and foster parent Cee Cee Andrews is currently fostering bunnies because of the limited space they have in the shelter. Although Andrews is taking numerous animals to help, she doesn’t find it stressful or challenging at all.

“They fit right in, we have four rabbits and three guinea pigs ourselves, all of them are from here and we mold the fosters right into our routine,” Andrews said.

If you are looking to adopt, volunteer, or even donate to SPCA you can visit their website at http://cnyspca.org/ for more information.

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