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Pandemic pets so hot right meow

Daryna ZadvirnaAlbany Advertiser
Head to Tail Pets' Jayke Drummond with kittens for adoption.
Camera IconHead to Tail Pets' Jayke Drummond with kittens for adoption. Credit: Laurie Benson

Pets have been flying out of the door in a bid to curb self-isolation loneliness, according to an Albany pet shop owner who has warned pets are for life — not just for a pandemic.

Head to Tail Pets owner Sheryl Muscat said she had noticed a “significant increase” in the number of animals being bought at her store.

“We noticed it probably about two weeks ago when the epidemic sort of started here in Albany,” she said. “I think people realised they would have to self-isolate and might get a little lonely.”

Ms Muscat said fish, birds, rabbits and guinea pigs were among the animals most in demand.

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“We’ve had a lot parents coming in to keep the kids occupied because obviously they can’t get out and about anymore — even the fish are just something to look at,” she said. “We also have the Albany Animal Welfare kittens here, and people have definitely been looking into adopting more as well.”

But Ms Muscat said people needed to remember getting a pet was a long-term committent.

“It’s great that more animals are getting a home,” she said. “But on the other hand, a lot of people are losing their jobs and they need to consider if they can afford another mouth to feed.”

She said owners also needed to make sure they’d have the time to look after their pets “once this was all over”.

“That’s one of the reasons we don’t sell live animals over the Christmas period — they’re more than just a present,” she said.

“And in six months time — are they still going to have as much time for that pet?”

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