To think that lockdown is not the time to get a pet

[BeyondMymymymyCorona]

"as I'm home for the next however long, I decided it was a good time to get a puppy"

This is a friend of mine, and I've seen multiple others who have decided now is the time to get a smaller cage/viv-living pet.

The one who just got the puppy is in the shielding group, so not supposed to leave the house at all. How they plan on walking it, I have no idea. Nor how they plan to feed it given they have had so much trouble getting food for themselves.

I realise the animals have to go somewhere if nobody buys them, so I don't know what the answer is. But AIBU to think that - on a household level - now is a bad time to get a new pet?

If no one gives these puppies and kittens homes, what will happen to them? Will they all be put down?

Are vets still neutering dogs and cats? If they are not then there will be more unplanned litters than usual over the summer, especially of kittens.

We're fostering a kitten from the rescue we got our cats from last year.

We are experienced pet owners. Foster takes a lot of socialisation and time which we now have.The rescue get a cage free for kitten season and a new future foster home for future cats.
Perfect all around.

@Hormonecrazyhell Yes, thanks that is reassuring.

Although, she's been well for some time now, my dog has a history of pancreatitis, which was horrible and painful for her.

I do worry that she might not be seen to get that initial pain killing jab, which makes such a difference to her, if they don't consider it an emergency. Hopefully, they would.

Are vets still neutering dogs and cats?

Our local surgery is only doing emergency treatment and they're also open for you to collect prescriptions.

No vaccinations, no spays or neuters, no general health checks.

My son adopted a cat literally a week before lockdown and couldn't get it it to be nuetered ( 10 months old) I think the only downside for him.

He's on his own and working from home so a big boost to his mental health. I have said that the cat will think this is his new norm his owner being at home all the time

I think a photo of the cat is in order

DS has been planning this blummin cat for years but only moved into his own home after Christmas, so it wasn't done on a whim

Gorgeous cat!

Are vets still neutering dogs and cats?

Guidelines state emergency treatment only. No vaccination or neutering unless under exceptional circumstances.
Human safety comes before that of pets.

No vaccination or neutering

Looks like we're in for one hell of a kitten season with no neutering happening.

@scissy can't you see then a glut of either dead or unwanted reptiles when people who buy on a whim get bored or have not done their research and end up with dead reptiles. We have reptiles too and we have an amazing family pet shop in our next town who are open will deliver if you can't or don't want make the journey .I agree to they are not a short term commitment. Our's are family and treated as such .Don't know you probably know about Swell exotics they are as far as i know delivering still. We have used them in the past .

Looks like we're in for one hell of a kitten season with no neutering happening.

Well perhaps however there are ways to prevent it, by keeping cats inside and using common sense.
Nobody wants to do this. 80% of our staff have been furloughed. The rest are working all hours to save the animals that are in desperate need.
There isn’t the man power to do routine vaccination and neutering, and even if there were I don’t believe staff should be put at risk over something preventable. Pregnancy is always preventable, separate pets or keep cats in. If it’s inside it can’t get pregnant.
You also shouldn’t be driving pets anywhere unless in an emergency, vaccination is not necessary if your dog is in isolation which is where we all should be, where I would also prefer to be with my family.

I have never in 15 years of veterinary practice been subject to so much abuse as I have this week.
We are following guidelines set by the BVA and government. Some practices are not following them and I hope that when this is all over the practices that worked with the government to stop the spread of Coronavirus and save human lives instead of breaking the rules are recognised.

I think, because vets aren't available apart from emergencies, it's a bad time to get a pet. I think it's a bad time to get pregnant and get pets. The medical staff (human and animal) is not readily available right now. The other thing I don't get is everyone doing huge cleanouts and throwing out large items. Our waste services have been reduced and are likely to diminish further. This is so not the time for big life adjustments, i.e redecorating and getting pets.

@Echo08 I suspect a higher number of reptiles with the reptile equivalent of brittle bone disease
Our local reptile specialist in the next town is staying open so we should be ok.
All these posters saying "don't get puppies it'll be really bad for them but small pets, meh, who cares" - clearly they've never owned any! I'd never go back to keeping cats/dogs.

maneandfeathers It's just an observation not a judgement.

I'm just wondering aloud what will happen. People are being advised not to get new pets, lots of puppies and kittens have already been born, lots of litters are currently gestating and lots of animals are about to reach maturity and go into heat. Presumably the only solution is to cull the litters?

No one is to blame for any of this.

Ah I know @looking. It’s been a long week and I’ve honestly had so much abuse for not vaccinating/neutering. Online has been just as bad.

In theory breeders will hold onto litters, they will socialise with littermates and be exposed to scenarios in the home and also outside if carried and then go to new homes when this is over.

Bad breeders however god knows. At the moment we are being told to prioritise human life.

“All these posters saying "don't get puppies it'll be really bad for them but small pets, meh, who cares" - clearly they've never owned any!”

Not so much who cares... but just, can’t see as many potential issues...

I know someone mentioned veg for guinea pigs, but there’s been no issue here with fresh veg, they’re fully stocked, it’s tins, pasta, toilet roll, cleaning products and junk food that are still empty.

I’ve had guinea pigs, mice and hamsters - I can’t see that they’d be huge practical issues in getting those just now - other than travelling and vets and my cat is actually quite annoyed that we’re all in just now, lol

That was all

@scissy oh yes i hadn't thought of that one not using calci dust for bones and complete lack of knowledge about uv lighting. Absolutely love my reptiles as if they are family including the Royal 😁.It did worry me that we would struggle to get our locusts and frozen mice but our pet shop are absolutely superb even got in substitute food if there is a problem with the supply .