The Aftermath Of Pandemic Puppy Pandemonium: Pet Ownership Statistics To Know In 2022

During the COVID pandemic’s first year in 2020, people worked and took classes from home, learned to make bread, and adopted pets. Lockdowns and self-quarantines made people eager for something to bring variety to their day, and affectionate animals fit the bill.

Some people adopted show puppies and other purebred dogs from breeders. Others adopted cats, and many first-time pet owners rescued animals from their local shelters. The news media reported the massive surge in pet adoptions, but what do the statistics for the past two years tell us?

Pet adoption rates hit a five-year low in 2020

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s data shows that 2020 had fewer shelter adoptions than in any of the five years prior. Likewise, the data for 2021 looks like it had a lower number of adoptions than 2020.

About one in five households got a new pet during the pandemic, but the number still shows fewer overall adoptions than previous years. Part of that low rate is because fewer people surrendered their pets to shelters than usual, and animal control staff worked less. As a result, fewer animals were available for adoption.

The Labrador retriever was the most popular breed in the U.S.

In 2020 and 2021, these sweet and loyal retrievers were the top dog breed, according to the AKC. This fact isn’t surprising since Labradors have been the most popular dog every year since 1990. Many people brought home Lab puppies during the beginning of the pandemic, and that love for the breed hasn’t slowed down at all since lockdowns have lifted.

Other popular breeds in 2022 include German shepherds, Golden Retrievers, French Bulldogs, and Poodles.

Shelters are crowded again

Shelters are crowded and, in some cases, over-crowded again, which leads some people to believe that many pandemic adopters must have given up their pets after the situation changed.

The ASPCA reports that most pets adopted in 2020 still live in those homes, so those who recently adopted aren’t finding new pets. Another reason for fuller shelters is that animal control staff work regular hours again to pick up strays, unlike during the early days of the pandemic.

Over half of people over 50 own a pet

About 55% of people over fifty have a pet in the home. Most older pet owners find that their pets help relieve stress and give them more emotional stability. In addition, many say that taking care of a pet gives them more purpose in life.

Pets can grow up with kids and be great companions, but the benefit for older people is also evident.

Owning a pet is healthy

Pet ownership can reduce a person’s risk of dying early by about 24%, so pet owners over fifty have the right idea. Studies show that petting a cat or a dog can reduce blood pressure and pain while increasing a sense of well-being.

This effect can lower the risk of heart attack or stroke, and people who have had one are less likely to have a second.

Wrapping up

So many things changed during the pandemic, from how companies take care of employees to the world of online education.

Many people also discovered the joys of adopting a dog or cat from a shelter for the first time, but there will always be animals needing a good home for those preparing to adopt a loving companion.