By Talia Girvin
October 22, 2020
TAMPA, Fla. – Since the beginning of 2020 and the introduction of COVID-19, the number of mental illness in adults has skyrocketed. Many are looking for ways to ease their anxiety, and for some, the remedy might be a trip to a local adoption agency.
“I adopted Carter almost a month ago and I’ve notice significant changes in my mood. Having Carter not only establishes a schedule in my life, but he is a source of entertainment, and a LOT of cuddles,” explains Cali Sabolik, a fairly-new cat owner.
With quarantined-Americans searching to fill voids in their lives, pet adoptions have increased tremendously. Local pet shelters, such as the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, reported that in the month of August 2020, adoption was at 78%. The other 22% of animals were returned to the original owner, transferred to another agency, or passed away. Out of 999, only four animals remained in the shelter.
Sabolik adopted Carter from the Humane Society and was relieved to find she had no issues with the adoption process during COVID-19. She jokingly expressed, “My only issue was paying that apartment pet fee- but it was totally worth it!”
Luckily for Victoria Hyde, a college student at the University of South Florida, shared she found her five-week-old kitten on the side of the road. “Mars keeps me on a schedule, gives me so many cuddles, and taking care of him gives me a hobby that I really enjoy doing,” Hyde says. While Hyde did not have any complications with an adoption process, she was experiencing some nerves about the possible vet fees. After talking with her vet about her concerns, but wanting the best for her new-born kitten, the vet ended up giving her discounts. Relieved, Hyde shares, “It was definitely helpful for a college student during COVID.”
It’s not only Sabolik and Hyde who believe a furry friend can bring positive outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report there are many health benefits of owning a pet. Pets can present opportunities to get outside, and help with loneliness and depression with a deep, loving companionship.
Chelsey Ruff, a server in the Wesley Chapel area, explains her sadness with losing her dog of 13 years in the middle of a pandemic. After a month, she knew she needed another companion. This time, instead of a dog, Ruff decided on a feline friend. Recounting a memory, Ruff shares how one day the cat disappeared, only to bring back into the house two alive squirrel-friends with him. “The squirrels literally surround my patio now. I feel like I have to dominate when I go out there… but, they do like peanuts,” Ruff laughs. “I adopted a crazy cat that makes my family laugh constantly.”
As for Lydia Rufin, a college student at University of South Florida, she decided on a different type of pet to ease her stress during COVID. She knew the best pet for her to adopt was a Pac Man Frog. “One of the bigger problems I had was finding food for her. I had to drive around to different pet stores and deal with a variety of COVID precautions while trying to find crickets,” Rufin explains. “It’s been great having her though… It puts a smile on my face to spritz her with water every day.”
Some animal lovers, while they did not adopt their pet during COVID-19, talked about their increased gratitude for their pet. Terri Girvin, a bartender and actress in Manhattan, New York, finds her happiness through her lovely-cat, Jack. “With all this alone time I’ve had with this pandemic, Jack has made it full of love and fun and purpose,” Girvin gushes. “He [Jack] loved that I wasn’t working and could devote all of my time to him!” With places opening back up in NYC, Girvin expresses, “He doesn’t quite understand that I’m back at work and not home with him always. He also doesn’t understand that all the stuff he has - a home, food, cat toys, aren’t free.”
Along with others, Girvin feels like her pet made her pandemic experience beautiful and full of love. “I’m so grateful for my orange boyfriend.”
Girvin's orange cat, Jack, looking at the camera
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