The impact of COVID-19 on rescue shelters

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RSPCA National Centres have been shut to members of the public. Only staff and volunteers have been on site to care for the animals and rehoming has mainly been done remotely. For many of the animals in our care this has been hugely beneficial. It has allowed staff to have more time to spend with the animals, and fewer distractions during training and rehabilitation. Staff report they feel closing the centres to visitors has reduced stress in both the cattery and the kennels, although many of the kennels have had no public access well before 2020 began. For all dogs, there has been a huge increase in the variation of out of kennel activities that staff can offer. More dogs are able to be in reception areas for rehabilitation, training, socialisation, habituation and resting. More dogs are able to be walked and exercised in the closed car parks, allowing the dogs new sights, sounds, scents and in some cases even textures to explore.