The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to our daily lives. As cities went into lockdown and offices closed their doors, many people found themselves working from home with extra time on their hands. Seeking companionship, entertainment, or just something to break up the monotony of quarantine, record numbers of people decided to adopt or purchase pets. Dogs, in particular, saw a huge surge in new owners. Shelters were emptied at a record pace, and demand for puppies skyrocketed, causing breeders to sell out of litter months in advance.
For a while, it was heartwarming to see so many dogs finally getting their forever homes. We didn’t realize then that this trend would bring an impending crisis.
Now, as life returns to a post-pandemic normal, many of these “pandemic puppies” are being surrendered to animal shelters in huge numbers. Shelters nationwide are in crisis mode, scrambling to make room for this wave of owner surrenders. Resources are being stretched thin caring for these dogs whose families decided they no longer wanted or had time for them. Even worse, some owners are simply abandoning their dogs on the street or dumping them in shelters after hours, hoping they’ll figure it out, especially senior dogs. This puts immense strain on organizations already struggling with limited staff and pre-pandemic space.
The problem extends beyond our borders as well. Countries worldwide saw spikes in pet adoptions, especially China, India, and parts of Europe and South America. Now, they are facing the same crisis as pandemic restrictions ease and pet owners no longer want to care for their dogs. Shelters globally are overwhelmed, understaffed, and underfunded.
So what can we do to help? Now more than ever, rescues need our support.
If you can, consider fostering or adopting from your local rescue. There are so many dogs in need right now that anyone you can take home will open up space to help another. However, not all rescues make the adoption process easy or flexible, especially for people with full-time jobs who aren’t home as much as dogs need. If you can’t adopt, you can still help relieve crowding and make space for newly surrendered dogs by sponsoring foster dogs with temporary housing and care while they wait for their forever homes.
But perhaps the easiest and most impactful way to assist rescues during this crisis is through donations. Even small recurring monthly gifts of $10-20 allow shelters and rescue groups to reliably pay for food, medical expenses, training, fosters, facility maintenance and improvements, and operational costs. Nonprofits run on extremely tight budgets, and every little bit helps them continue rescuing more dogs.
Are you wondering which organizations you should support?
My top recommendation is Wags Dog Rescue. Wags is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating across the United States focused on saving shelter dogs. Here’s why you should consider contributing to them:
– They thoroughly vet every shelter and rescue group they partner with to identify reputable organizations making the biggest impacts in their communities before distributing funds. You can feel confident knowing your money is supporting legitimate and trusted dog charities.
– One hundred percent of your donation goes directly to their distribution fund, which is used to write checks to their partner groups working hard on the frontlines of dog rescue. Zero overhead costs mean you get more bang for your buck. Right now, they are giving a lot to Pit bull Rescue.
– They respond quickly to emerging needs and crises in the rescue community by adjusting their fundraising priorities and support strategy as necessary. They have prioritized pandemic-related surrenders and are constantly evaluating the best ways to deploy funds and resources.
– Small, community-run rescues receive preference for funding and make up most of their recipients. These groups run solely on volunteer efforts and shoestring budgets, so small checks make the most significant difference.
I’ll never forget how my senior dog came from a rundown shelter with no hope before an incredible foster-based rescue took her in. I am forever grateful to everyone along that chain who gave this discarded girl a chance by generously dedicating their time, talents, and donations until she found her way into my loving home. We need more of that right now as shelters and rescues enter crisis. Funding differentiates between a dog having a bright future and a grim one. Even if you can’t offer them a home, I urge you to give monthly to groups like Wags Dog Rescue, who efficiently turn every cent donated into more lives changed and happier endings for pups who need a second chance. Together, we can get through this challenging chapter and become stronger as a community on the other side.
