Health and economic consequences: How COVID-19 affected households with pet and their pets. A systematic review

Appiah, Ebenezer; Enyetornye, Ben; Ofori, Valentina; Enyetornye, Justice; Abbiw, Richard Kwamena

doi:10.1080/23311886.2022.2060542

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…This response has consequently affected the public information on COVID-19 provided by the national government in managing the crisis (ibid.). Others have noted that the official response to COVID-19 in China has hindered the communication of public information by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in relation to companion animals (Ebenezer et al 2022). Platto at al.…”

Section: China's Animal Welfare and Animal Epidemic Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of China’s Biopolitical Approach to COVID-19 on Pets

Whyke,

Mugica,

Jamil

et al. 2023

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Using the frameworks of biopower and uses and gratification theory, this article examines the treatment of pets in China during the COVID-19 outbreak and the role of social media in fulfilling users’ social needs by facilitating discussions on associated animal welfare issues and mobilizing animal advocates to take action. The analysis focuses on how social media comments on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, have influenced public discourse surrounding the biopolitical governance of animals emphasized by the zero-COVID policy, which has helped maintain a strong sense of national consciousness in post-socialist China. The study centres on an isolated case of the killing of a corgi by a health worker in Shanghai and how it was perceived on social media. The findings suggest that much of the animosity demonstrated on Weibo towards the killing is centred around biopower, or the biopolitical governance of humans and animals that has more broadly prioritized human life over animal welfare in China’s approach to COVID-19. In this way, social media has played a crucial role in mobilizing animal advocates to take a more prominent role in the emergency management of pets. The study concludes that China should consider adopting a standard operating procedure for pet care and rescue that includes pets in its humans-first disaster response and relief measures to develop a better and healthier national consciousness, fulfil the social needs of its citizens who value animal welfare, and strengthen its sense of national consciousness.

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Section: China's Animal Welfare and Animal Epidemic Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of China’s Biopolitical Approach to COVID-19 on Pets

Whyke,

Mugica,

Jamil

et al. 2023

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“…To our knowledge, this is the first review to systematically synthesize the wealth of literature published on companion animal caregiving and psychological wellbeing during the pandemic. One systematic review was previously conducted [67], which reported both positive and negative implications of the pandemic on both caregivers and animals. However, this review focused on the effects of COVID-19 on caregivers rather than how animals influenced well-being during the pandemic.…”

Section: Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Once again, mixed findings were reported, although there appeared to be some evidence that companion animals could reduce loneliness in adult populations. However, a plethora of studies have been published since the searches for the two existing reviews [67,68] were carried out.…”

Section: Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Well-Being of Companion Animal Caregivers and Their Companion Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Brooks,

Greenberg

2023

Animals

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It is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal caregivers and their companion animals in order to inform responses to future crises. Prior research is inconsistent, with the benefits of animal companionship believed to be overstated. In this scoping review, we searched four electronic databases and hand-searched reference lists of included studies. Over 4000 citations were found, and 122 were included in the review. Reflecting on the pre-COVID literature, quantitative evidence of the association between psychological well-being and animal companionship during the pandemic was mixed, with numerous positive, negative, and null findings reported. Studies highlighted the benefits of animal companionship during the pandemic, with animals reported to provide their caregivers with a routine, a sense of greater purpose, a positive distraction from COVID-19, companionship, and emotional support. However, participants also reported concerns about meeting animals’ needs, fears of animals catching or spreading the virus, and financial worries. Concerns about what would happen to animals if caregivers were hospitalized led some to delay COVID-19 testing or treatment. Animals also experienced benefits (such as increased companionship and calmer mood) and negative impacts (such as increased clinginess and separation anxiety). Companion animals should be a key consideration in emergency preparedness plans.

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“…Furthermore, differences in levels of and reasons for relinquishment can vary between communities within countries (Dolan et al 2015 ). To date, much research on the effects of COVID-19 on pets and their owners has been conducted within a single country (Appiah et al 2022 ). However, given the fluctuating effects of COVID-19, in addition to cultural variances, differences in relinquishment of cats and dogs between countries require further exploration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Households with children at greatest risk of relinquishing a cat or dog

Carroll,

Torjussen,

Reeve

2023

Anim. welf.

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Understanding the factors associated with companion animal relinquishment is key in safeguarding animal welfare and human well-being. The aims of this study were to assess the effect of demographic variables on risk of relinquishment of cats and dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to report characteristics of those that relinquished a cat or dog, and the experience of said relinquishment process. A series of surveys were administered to pet owners (n = 3,945) across several countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain and France. In total, n = 1,324 reported having acquired their cat or dog via online means. There was no association between online source (search engines, breeder websites, rescue websites, online ad sites and social media) and relinquishment status (NCR1 [Never Considered Relinquishment] compared to CR_R [Considering Relinquishment or already Relinquished]. More participants from the USA considered or already had relinquished their cat or dog compared to the UK and Italy. Of those that have already given up their pet, 76.2% agreed that it was an emotionally difficult decision, while 100% agreed that it was, logically, the correct decision. Demographic characteristics in those that reported considering relinquishment or that had already relinquished (CR_R; n = 146) were compared to a comparison group that had never considered relinquishing their pet (NCR2; n = 193). Being a male-gendered pet-owner and a younger pet age increased the risk of relinquishment. Cats and dogs from households with children were 4.6 times more likely to consider or have already relinquished a cat or dog compared to those from households without children. Further research is needed to explore risk of relinquishment of cats and dogs when children are present in the home.

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Health and economic consequences: How COVID-19 affected households with pet and their pets. A systematic review

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

The Impact of China’s Biopolitical Approach to COVID-19 on Pets

The Impact of China’s Biopolitical Approach to COVID-19 on Pets

The Well-Being of Companion Animal Caregivers and Their Companion Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Households with children at greatest risk of relinquishing a cat or dog

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