If your family’s got puppy fever, you’re not
alone! Animal shelters have been reporting
an increase in puppy adoptions since the start
of the coronavirus pandemic in March. And
with all of that extra time at home, experts
say it’s the perfect time for many families to
adopt a dog.

“Puppies need a lot of attention, so it’s
really helpful for them to have all of that
one-on-one time with their new family,” says
Chelsea Jones of the Animal Welfare League
of Arlington (AWLA) in Virginia.

It takes an average of 10 weeks to house
train a puppy, and you’ll need to walk it every
one to two hours (yes, really!) in the begin-
ning. You’ll also need plenty of time to teach
the puppy house rules, to socialize it with
family members and other pets, and to teach
it not to bark incessantly or chew up your
favorite shoes. And, during the coronavirus
pandemic, you’ll need to create an emergency
plan for who will take the puppy if you fall ill.

You should also ask yourself whether you
can afford a puppy. You’ll need to buy toys,
food, a crate, a leash and other necessities.

Then there are the adoption fees, shots and
other initial medical expenses.

“The first and last year of a pet’s life are
usually the most expensive,” says Jones. “The
first year generally costs $1,500 to $3,000,
Make Social
Distancing More Fun
with a
and the average monthly cost is anywhere
from $100 to $300.”
Still want to bring home a pandemic
puppy? Here are the steps you should take:
ADOPT, DON’T SHOP
The best (and cheapest) way to adopt a puppy
is from a pet rescue or animal shelter. That’s
because many pet stores and breeders get
their dogs from puppy mills, which mistreat
the animals. (If you’re intent on buying a pup
from a breeder, visit the Humane Society’s
website for information on how to find a
responsible one.)
Though some shelters have halted adop-
tions during the pandemic, many have
not—and they’ve come up with creative
ways to help families find the perfect pup.

They’re setting up Zoom or FaceTime
calls between dogs and potential owners.

They’re offering curbside adoptions and
socially distant backyard meetings. And
they’re doing more in-depth “matchmak-
ing” by asking families lots of questions
and choosing a dog for them based on their
personalities and lifestyles.

“There’s a good chance that a family will
end up with a really good fit during this
time because they’re getting more guidance,
rather than just picking a puppy because it’s
cute,” says Jones.

Puppies need
a lot of attention,
so it’s really
helpful for them
to have all of that
one-on-one time
with their
new family.

12 Washington FAMILY MAY 2020