Although NAFA requires all adoptions to be returned (manditory) to us should they be no longer able to keep the pet, many rescues and shelters in our area do not. NAFA microchips and pre-registers all adoptions. Therefore, we felt the only way to be sure that animals adopted during the pandemic were still in their homes, we partnered with government large shelter and sent emails to everyone that adopted asking only three questions. 1) Is there anything we can do to help you? 2) Do you still have the pet you adopted? 3) If not can you tell us where the animal is now?
We are still compiling information, but our initial numbers show that of the adoptions from the large shelter during the pandemic 23% did not have the pet they adopted. We did not get any response to 30% of the initial email so we are following up with a second email and phone calls. Of the pets adopted from us during the pandemic 7% did not still have the pet they adopted. All but one of those had previously contacted us and returned the pet.
Additionally, in the last 5 months the number of abandoned and surrendered animals have increased almost 2x. We do not believe that all individuals who surrender animals return them to the place of adoption or tell the truth.
I am not saying that the data results are wrong, I just question how the information was obtained. It is said to say, but here in the South Central part of the US,
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Wannda Turner
NAFA Board
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2021 05:51 AM
From: sherry mansfield
Subject: The Data is in! Pandemic pets have not been returned in droves.
I think perhaps the data was gathered too early. They are sure coming in droves in our county now.
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Sherry Mansfield
Original Message:
Sent: 10-02-2021 07:29 AM
From: Jenny Cope
Subject: The Data is in! Pandemic pets have not been returned in droves.
Hi there,
I am not confident with the data to be honest. I run a rescue and the past few months I have had no less than 3-4 emails a day from people, not just locally but from all over Maine and some as far as MA wanting to rehome their dogs. Most have had their dogs 8-24 months, but some have had since a puppy and now the dog is around 4 years old with behavioural problems. I do not take in owner surrenders so can just refer to the adopt a pet rehome program and the rescueme.org website for getting their dogs up there - but I used to get one request every month or so.
Hope this is just the case where I am, but with the emails I also get from several shelters I work with in Texas asking if I can take dogs because the are so full and are having to euthanize for space. Just makes me a little skeptical, more so when not everyone participates in the shelter count.
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Jenny Cope - Fear Free Certified
President/Founder
Give a Dog a Home, German Shepherd Dog Rescue
501c3 Non- Profit Corp, Tax ID/EIN 27-5241306
State of Maine Shelter/Rescue Licence # F1463
State of Maine Registered Charity: CO11334
https://giveadogahome.rescuegroups.org/
Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2021 12:55 PM
From: Kasey Spain
Subject: The Data is in! Pandemic pets have not been returned in droves.
Thanks to the incredible folks at Shelter Animals Count, "Pandemic pets" have not been returned to shelters in droves and we've got new data to prove it.
Read about Shelter Animals Count's 2019-2021 shelter data analysis here AND share with all those reporters that called you for quotes on this topic!
https://americanpetsalive.org/blog/pandemic-pets-werent-returned-to-shelters
This is a great opportunity for you to get media coverage for your organization on what support you DO need! Make sure to share this article and data with reporters in your communities, because as you know, animal shelters *do* urgently need fosters, adopters, and transport partners.
#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
#DataandTechnology
#MarketingandSocialMedia
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Kasey Spain (she/her)
Marketing & Communications Senior Manager
American Pets Alive! & Human Animal Support Services
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