According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, nearly 1 in 5 households adopted a pet during the pandemic. At the peak of the pandemic, 70 percent of U.S. households owned pets, and 54 percent of all households owned dogs, according to the American Pet Products Association trade group (APPA). According to APPA, nearly two-thirds of households now have a pet, and half have a dog. The pandemic and the thousands of dollars in stimulus funds available to individuals and families have made pet ownership affordable for many families. Filer said pet owners who are struggling to care for their animals should contact shelters or rescue organizations as soon as possible for help.

Source: Washington Post December 26, 2023 00:05 UTC