Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions in Portugal: A Questionnaire to Municipal and Animal Association Shelters

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has an indirect impact on the health and welfare of animals. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on Municipal and Association animal shelters. A questionnaire was sent to 97 Municipal shelters and 65 Associations. Questions focused on public funding, management and animal welfare during COVID-19 restrictions. The response rate was 43.3% (42/97) for Municipal shelters and 38.5% (25/65) for Associations. Municipal shelters (67%) received over 80% of public funding, whereas 68% of the Associations received less than 50%. During the COVID-19 restrictions, financial difficulties were observed by 52% of Associations and 5% of Municipal shelters, and a lack of volunteers was observed by 56% of Associations and 17% of Municipal shelters. Operational difficulties were indicated by 43% of Associations and 12% of Municipal shelters, and a lack of instructions was observed by 31% of Municipal shelters and 4% of Associations. No significant differences were obtained on abandonment, adoption, clinical support, exercise and interaction. Decreased feed supply was reported by 40% of Associations and 5% of Municipal shelters. During the COVID-19 restrictions, Municipal shelters were more affected by the lack of instructions, and Associations were more affected by external factors such as a decrease in feed supply, volunteers and funding. Preparedness and contingency plans seem essential to face unpredicted crises.

Companion animal adoption and relinquishment during the COVID-19 pandemic: The experiences of animal rescue staff and volunteers

“…Shelters felt that they inhabited a ‘grey area’ when seeking to operate under the restrictions imposed during lockdown. This is in accordance with the findings of Gomes-Neves et al ( 2021 ) who revealed that Portuguese municipal shelters were most affected by the lack of instructions. Along with the lack of help with funding, the struggle to follow local restrictions perpetuated the feeling of being ignored and underappreciated by the authorities and the Government.…”

“…This variation is also found in other recent studies on the subject (e.g. Morgan et al 2020;Baptista et al 2021;Gomes-Neves et al 2021;Powell et al 2021).…”

“…There have been conflicting reports of relinquishment and adoption over the pandemic. Studies have found a general increase in relinquishment (Gomes-Neves et al 2021 ), while some have found no change overall (Morgan et al 2020 ). Respondent reports on adoption and relinquishment during the pandemic suggest that there may be a trend in increased relinquishment rates.…”

“…Previous research has shown conflicting results regarding relinquishment and abandonment of animals during the pandemic. In general, rates of companion animal adoptions increased during the pandemic (Morgan et al 2020 ; Baptista et al 2021 ; Gomes-Neves et al 2021 ; Torrico 2021 ). In some cases, shelters ran campaigns as an attempt to increase pet adoptions (e.g.…”

“…Relinquishment statistics vary between countries, with researchers finding no change in relinquishment in Israel (Morgan et al 2020 ), an increase in Portugal (Gomes-Neves et al 2021 ), and a decrease in the USA and Australia (Baptista et al 2021 ; Powell et al 2021 ). Morgan et al ( 2020 ) reported a correlation between relinquishment and a poorer quality of life index of the owners.…”