The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 8 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on April 30, 2021.
Jessica Tyler ’21
Staff Writer
The world was thrown a curveball in 2020 when people of all professions were requested to work from home. Many found themselves with extra time on their hands since they were no longer commuting from one place or activity to another.
How did people change with this new at-home lifestyle? They did what most people want to do but don’t have time for—they adopted pets. Before making such an important decision, it is important to consider what kind of pet to adopt. Animal shelters and rescues saw a rise in pet adoptions from previous years. Students who moved back home now live in an environment where they could give an animal the love and attention that they could not while living in a dorm.
While some people made quick decisions on which pet to bring into their life, others took the time to learn about their pet and their personality. After all, pets are a major responsibility and it is important to try and make a match that will be beneficial to both the pet and their new family.
“I definitely took on more than I was expecting,” admitted Lake Forest College student Ellie Annibali ’21 when asked about her recent puppy adoption, but she noted, “I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Due to the pandemic, Annibali moved back home from school and adopted a Labrador puppy named Jinni. She credits her mom’s willingness to help with Jinni and provide a proper home for her puppy.
Another important element in choosing which animal to adopt is making sure that they fit your lifestyle. If you’re almost never home, a hamster might be a better alternative for you than a puppy. If you want a pet to tag along with you on your morning run, a high-energy dog might fit you better. There are various online quizzes, such as those on pawslikeme.com, to assess what kind of dog/cat best suits your schedule and personality.
When asked what kind of animal she could handle, Lake Forest College student Breanna Culpepper ’21, said she could probably handle a fish. While nannying during the pandemic, Culpepper’s boss was able to adopt two new kittens since her boos had switched to a remote work setting. “She had more time at home, so they could bond,” says Culpepper. “And a cat needs less attention than a dog, so a cat was the better choice.” Culpepper is confident that her boss made the right choice in choosing cats since they are less physically demanding than dogs.
In order to make sure new adopters are making a responsible choice, Lake Forest College junior Maggie Swansen ’22 shares her experience as a volunteer at her local animal shelter. “We need to feel confident that the new owner will be able to care for the dog in the best way,” she explains when describing the various steps that the shelter goes through in order to ensure the pairing is a proper fit. She continued to share her passion in guaranteeing that both parties will mutually benefit from the adoption by commenting, “We try our absolute best to be sure that the match goes both ways.” Without this careful process of confirming both the family and their new member are right for each other, this can lead to improper care for the animal and unneeded stress for the home. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 6.5 million companion animals are surrendered to shelters annually in the United States. If you are thinking about adopting a new pet soon, it is important to consider all aspects of owning an animal and making certain you can provide it with a loving home.
