Animal Control Management: The Covid-19 Pet Adoption Boom
Municipalities and Animal Control Agencies across the US have been forced to innovate and adapt to keep up with Covid-19 and the pet adoption boom. In this article, we lay out helpful tips on setting up virtual adoption events, the concerns and demographics of new pet owners, navigating separation anxiety, and how Comcate’s clients are leading the way.
Virtual Adoptions
Though many animal shelters across the United States closed the doors to the physical locations of their adoption centers during the coronavirus pandemic, they continued to operate and many even saw a rise in inquiries about fostering animals. In-person adoptions were forced to halt after states ordered the closing of non-life-sustaining businesses. o, many municipalities were forced to innovate by introducing “virtual adoptions.”
Virtual adoptions start with an online application, and once approved, an applicant can schedule an appointment to get acquainted. From there, the applicant would be eligible to adopt the same day. Response to the new virtual adoption format has been very positive;the public appreciates that agencies continue to get pets adopted despite the limitations imposed.
Young Adopters Have Lead the Way
The majority of recent pet owners are millennials due to more of this demographic working from home than out of the home. However, groups from retired boomers to essential workers have adopted in the last year. And, a wide breadth of experience is represented between these groups when it comes to caring for cats and dogs. Municipalities are tasked with supporting each of these individual segments and their specific educational needs around pet ownership.
Only 13% are first-time pet owners.
20% didn’t have another pet when they adopted in the last year but have had a cat or dog before.
66% already had a cat and/or dog.
Separation Anxiety
With more people spending time at home, adopting a cat or dog in the last year was a timely decision. But as these new pet parents start to shift to a post-pandemic lifestyle in the months ahead, they’ll need additional support. Some pet owners will need to leave their pet alone for the first time to return to work. Agencies can best support the pet adoption boom by planning educational campaigns and resources around how to navigate this new separation anxiety.
Comcate’s Animal Control Software Designed for Local Government
As the pet adoption rate continues to grow, Animal Services Officers are working more cases than ever before. If you are handling these cases through manual processes, time to remediation can be painstakingly long. Comcate software streamlines animal services administration. Cases move from documentation to investigations and inspection, and finally reporting in a streamlined manner. Whether you’re reuniting animals and owners, educating the public, or helping animals in need, Comcate's field-ready software lets you do more with the resources you have.
Animal Services staff need cloud-based software that works well in the field so they can connect animals with locations and owners faster. Comcate software supports officers into the field with software optimized for mobile devices including features like mobile inspections, photo uploads, case notes, and notices of violation.
How Comcate’s Client has Led the Way through pandemic changes
One of our clients, The City of Henderson’s Animal Care and Control Facility, achieved a significant accomplishment by attaining a save rate of 91.1%. The facility rightfully claims recognition as a “no-kill” shelter for three years in a row. The term “no-kill’ signals a shelter’s success in keeping its average live-exit rate during the last year above 90%. “We were prepping for a full shelter and preparing for the worst when the pandemic hit, but we were amazed by what followed in the months thereafter. The citizens came out, followed social distance guidelines, had patience, and adopted animals!,” said Danielle Harney, Animal Control administrator.”
Schedule a Meeting with Comcate Today!
Learn how Comcate can help make government delivery simple, and offer a modern digital experience to help you increase transparency, efficiency, and performance across your departments. If you have any questions about implementing our software, please schedule a meeting with our team, or call us directly at (415) 632-1248.