Eli D. Halbreich
Perceived Attitudes of Pet Owners About Their Pets During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract: The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of both people and animals worldwide. The early lockdown phases of the pandemic caused people and their pets to spend increased time in close proximity, which intensified both positive and negative aspects of the relationships between people and their pets. This longitudinal study of U.S. residents (63 initial survey respondents; 23 follow-up survey respondents) sought to collect novel data related to the perceived attitudes toward, attachment to, and relationship with pets at two points during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many participants reported a positive relationship with their pets and appreciated the increased amount of time they could spend with them during the pandemic. Some participants noted an increase in negative behaviors, such as separation anxiety, in their pets. This study contributes to a body of research collected within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
Keywords: Attachment; Attitudes; COVID-19; Human-Animal Interaction; Pets
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