Tytus, 10, Orange Hunt Elementary, and brother Maksyn Jacewitz, 13, Irving Middle School, Springfield, with rescue kittens, Marigold and Lily. Along with their younger brother Justyn, the boys fostered 11 cats during the Covid quarantine. Asked why is adopting/fostering important to them, Tytus told us, “Personally, if you save animals from shelters that’s good. You save lives. They die if you don’t adopt them.” Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection
Families throughout the area adopted pets in record numbers during 2020 as a reaction to Covid-19 restrictions. More time at home and fewer social interactions created the perfect pet opportunity for many. Shelters reported more than double the normal adoptions, and breeders reported long wait lists. Virginia’s Attorney General alerted citizens to Internet scams related to sales of non-existent puppies. Connection asked area kids to take pictures with their pets and answer questions about pet ownership.