Pets ease pandemic blues for Germans

Gulf Today Report 

Out of the many things that the pandemic had done to people, it pushed Markus Salomon and his family into actualizing their dream of getting a dog.

The German family that reside in Berlin adopted a one-year-old mixed breed called Uschi. 

The 53-year old biologist said, "you can't do very much, you can't go on holiday, you can't visit friends or relatives, but what you can do is go for a walk, a spot of hiking, a drive in the woods, and a dog is great for that."  

Adopted mixed breed dog Uschi and her new owners Annelie and Markus Salomon. AFP

Germany has seen an explosion in pet adoption in the pandemic, with demand for cats, dogs and other furry companions soaring as people seek ways to ease loneliness and boredom.

According to the figures from the Industrial Association of Pet Care Producers (IVH) show, the number of pets in German households has climbed by almost one million to nearly 35 million, cats and dogs top the charts. 

The rapid growth of adoption has been positive for the pet care industry. It has recorded an increase in demand for food, accessories and toys, revenues surging up five per cent to 5.5 billion euros ($6.5 billion). 

Annelie Salomon during a walk with Uschi. AFP 

Emotional support

In a recent survey by the German pet portal Wamiz.de, 84 per cent of dog owners said their pets had not only provided a distraction in the pandemic but also much-needed emotional support. 

"Pets are conversation partners for many, especially for people living alone," said Frank Nestmann, a psychologist specialising in human-animal relationships at the Dresden University of Technology.