Utah cats are finding homes during COVID 

A need for companionship among people spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a rise in cat adoptions in Utah.

According to the Cache Humane Society, before the pandemic it took an average of 54 days to place a cat in a new home. That time has been cut nearly in half: On average, cats are now being adopted in 28 days.

Celestial Zoo Pet Rescue, which facilitates fostering and adoption for pets throughout Utah, has also seen an increase in cat adoptions since March, when many businesses and schools began shutting down.

“We did 53 in March this year, last year we did 26,” owner Celeste Park-Estes said.

At this point last year, Celestial Zoo Pet Rescue had adopted out 200 cats. Park-Estes said the number this year stands at more than 300.

The new pet owners “have more time since they are home a lot more,” Park-Estes said.

Among the new owners is Tori Kramer, who adopted a cat in April. 

“There was so much stress on my kids and uncertainty, I thought it would be good to focus on something to care for and love,” Kramer said.

Kramer said the new cat was helpful for her daughter as she switched from school on campus to school at home.

The cat "kept her company a lot when she studied and couldn’t see her friends,” Kramer said.

Haley Sabin also adopted a cat and two dogs since the beginning of the pandemic.

“We’ve gotten all our animals since COVID,” Sabin said. “I think COVID swayed it because it seems like the time to do something fun and be spontaneous. COVID has made it so life is more boring because there are so many restrictions and having animals makes it more fun.”