Researchers have conducted a large-scale survey of pet owners to find out if there have been any changes in how we care for our pets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results show that pet ownership can be complicated, especially during times of stress. While pets can contribute to our overall happiness and well-being, difficulties associated with the pandemic have also factored into pet ownership over the past few years.

The researchers found that pet owner concerns fell into 3 main categories:

Pet-focused: How to meet the needs of our pets, such as affording and accessing pet supplies and veterinary care, worrying about what will happen to our pets if we become ill, and changes in pet behavior.

Human-focused: Working from home, concerns about our mental health, balancing our responsibilities.

Household-focused: Struggling with financial hardship, worrying about staying safe from illness.

The researchers discovered that pet owner concerns were closely associated with the level of attachment to our pets, as well as with an owner’s financial situation and relationship status.

As the authors note, “Results from this study indicate that pet owners experienced unique hardships related to changes in everyday life from the COVID-19 pandemic. These hardships should be considered alongside the potential benefits found in other studies in order to manage pet owner expectations, prevent pet relinquishment, and more fully understand multifaceted human–companion animal relationships.”

Here at FACE, we have seen an increased need for financial assistance for critical veterinary care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read more about how we have helped owners and saved pets during these difficult times in our 2020 Annual Report.