By Renee DiNino
When we’re kinder to animals, we’re kinder to people. I cannot take credit for that phrase, but I say it every single day.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, things were “normal” in the animal world. Shelters were open; rescues were fostering and doing their best to get animals adopted safely, and were watching out for neglect and abuse cases. Animal control officers were answering calls, picking up strays or dumped pets, arresting animal abusers – you know, “normal.”
When the pandemic became a reality in Connecticut, it seemed as if a magic wand spread its reach across the state, edge to edge, over all municipal shelters, rescues, and pet adoption facilities. All dogs and cats were placed in homes or foster homes. And then, nothing. Absolutely nothing. In fact, calls to animal control reduced drastically.