During the early months of the pandemic, global interest in pet adoption surged as households sought stability amid disruption. As routines normalized, researchers and animal welfare groups began raising concerns about long-term ownership challenges, including separation anxiety and the risk that pets acquired during lockdown may not align with post-pandemic lifestyles.
Brian Manni, founder of Pup O'Clock, observed this cycle closely. "Post-COVID, everyone was getting dogs, and everyone was returning dogs," he explains. "At the same time, it was the same story we've seen forever. Kids love the dog, but after a couple of weeks, the shine wears off. They don't have the tools to follow through."
