With their owners working remotely, pets are getting more attention than ever during the pandemic. Some pet lovers are fed up with being lonely and are ready to go out and adopt. 

COVID-19 has come with a whirlwind of new surprises. From social distancing and wearing masks to lockdowns and reopenings, then slowly back to lockdowns again. This has made the past few months a very stressful time for everyone. 

With little to no contact with the outside world, pets have remained loyal through it all. By creating the companionship and entertainment needed to get people through these uncertain times, pets have played an important role in many people’s lives. 

Working from home with pets has come with its challenges. No one expected that they would be sharing their home office with their pet. 

Dan Taylor, the head of research and development at Salt Agency and SEO conference speaker, described his 14-year-old rescue cat, Maisie, as a “remorseless seat thief.”  

However, Megan Ingram decided to look at the bright side of remote working with her dog Halas. “Having a dog during remote work is great because you can say things like “Oh I gotta take the dog out, he needs a break” when it’s actually not the dog that needs a break,” said Ingram. 

Gabriella Ferlita and her cat Clarence are another dynamic duo that are able to enjoy each other’s company during the pandemic. Ferlita agreed that having a pet around during quarantine has definitely made it easier as Clarence was able to keep her spirits high. 

Ferlita said that Clarence “would nap with me on days I felt a little low and he would lie down on my yoga mat on my more productive days.” 

Loneliness is inevitable, especially if you live alone. As a veterinary technician, Amanda Cruz spends most of her days around animals. 

However, Cruz began to see the downfalls of not having a pet around her own home stating “All my life I’ve had a dog or cat in my home, not having one now is horrible. I might just adopt a senior dog and give him the best remaining years of his life.” 

Like Cruz, others are on that same path leading to the spike in animal adoptions and fostering during the pandemic. Pet lovers around the world are realizing that they need a pet as much as the pet needs them. 

In New York City, shelters like the Second Chance Rescue, ASPCA, and Badass Brooklyn Rescue have dogs and cats that are available for fostering and adoptions. However, dogs and cats aren’t the only COVID companion you could have. Animal Care Centers of NYC have bunnies available as well. 

London based certified dog trainer Joe Nutkins definitely has his share of COVID companions. With a house full of animals, his remote work was undoubtedly affected. In his two-bed bungalow, Nutkins is able to utilize his space very well. 

With two terriers, a house duckling, 15 chickens, 6 ducks, and 3 quails, his quarantine experience has been anything but lonely. However, Echo, the house duckling, is always getting in the way when Joe is working on his laptop. 

“Pressing keys with her bill and creating insane words on emails,” said Nutkins. When Echo isn’t typing up lengthy emails she relaxes in her indoor pen and watches Joe work in his home office. 

Nevertheless, whether they’re driving you crazy or cuddling to keep you warm, pets have become a beneficial part of making it through the pandemic. Trinidadian native Addison John has always been surrounded by dogs as a kid because they often roamed the streets. 

“Back home dogs don’t belong in the house but when I moved here and finally got one I understood why they are man’s best friend,” said John.