Puppies in high demand and short supply this coming Christmas amid COVID-19 pandemic
NEWARK, Calif. (KGO) -- The rush on toilet paper and other essential products at the start of the pandemic has come and gone, but there's another shortage that hasn't quite let up.
This one is cuddly and warm, and one even Santa might not be able to get.
Jonathan Chavoor shows us his new puppy Riker.
The Newark resident just picked up the Golden Retriever from a breeder less than two weeks ago.
"It's nice to kind of come home to that stress reliever. And, you know, he is kind of a calming influence," said Chavoor.
RELATED: Firefighters battling California wildfires visited by Kerith the therapy dog
Chavoor prepaid four figures to be put on a waiting list for Riker all the way back 13 months ago.
Since then, he says the price has doubled and the wait for a puppy from a breeder has increased to two years.
"We were expecting a handful of months at best, maybe six? We had no idea it would be this long," he said.
The demand for puppies since the pandemic has surged.
It's not just breeders; shelters also can't supply enough puppies to keep up with the demand since the pandemic.
"I think that we've maybe had 15 puppies since the beginning here that have come in through our shelter," says Buffy Martin-Tarbox of the Peninsula Humane Society. She says it's that way all around the Bay Area.
It's the same at the Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco.
"Puppies probably don't stay in the shelter for more than a couple of days." Sadly, Executive Director Ilsa Jule says that since COVID-19, the rescue organization has found many of their pets roaming the streets.
"People were just abandoning dogs left and right. About six months ago, they're still abandoning them. But it was, I would say, it was probably pretty critical when people started losing their housing and their jobs," said Jule.
RELATED: East Bay SPCA offers free pet food to families in need amid the coronavirus pandemic
Caring for a puppy can be time consuming and demands both patience and maturity.
"You have to potty train, you're going to have to teach them how to walk on a leash. You're going to have to teach the, you know, not to be mouthy, you know, and redirect them with a toy," said Martin-Tarbox.
Anyone looking to get a puppy for Christmas may have to wait.
"They're going to get adopted so quickly, they're probably not going to be there," Jule warned.
Shelters suggest adoptive families keep an open mind and consider adopting adult dogs or even cats.
Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
- Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
- How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
- Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
- First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
- From salons to dinner parties: Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
