Pandemic pet returns are becoming a problem, store owner says

Pet shops and shelters noticed a lot of individuals seeking to carry an animal into their lives in the course of the pandemic, however now the other is going on.

Rescue teams and others say individuals are now bringing these animals again — and it is becoming a drawback.

Jungle Bob’s Reptile World in Selden informed News 12 Long Island that their largest gross sales years got here in the course of the pandemic. Recently, three bearded dragons that have been adopted from the store have been returned.

“I get a name to take [a pet] nearly daily, sadly,” says Tyler Smith, of Jungle Bob’s Reptile World. “People attempt to give us guinea pigs and pet rats, hedgehogs — all that form of stuff. We’re not the specialists…however we do have mates of ours that may take them to totally different rescue teams.”

Other animal shelters on the Island report an uptick in individuals returning small pets – cats and canines that have been adopted in the course of the pandemic, a time when many have been locked down and animal companionship appeared like a good thought.

Smith says lots of those that are wanting look to give up pets have realized that pet possession isn’t for them. He says he not often turns down a surrendered pet, and now intently interviews new pet homeowners earlier than promoting them.

Bottom line, Smith urges pet homeowners to not launch them into a park or lake if they can not deal with them. He says these animals aren’t used to the outside and must be taken care of. Smith advises pet homeowners to search out a shelter or group that may take the animal in.