Where to Find a Pet Once you decide to add a pet, the next


challenge: Where to get the new puppy or kitten? Shortages of adoptable animals from rescues and shelters have been reported. Reputable dog and cat breeders have long wait lists. Consider reaching out to purebred dog or cat rescues. They can be found online or through social media. Also, there may be options to foster an animal before committing to owning one.


Nearly everyone searching online will encounter a scam selling puppies or kittens.


Pet Scams Also be aware that, more than ever, pet sale scams have skyrocketed. In May 2020, the American


Kennel Club (AKC) reported that “…nearly 10,000 scam reports and complaints [had] come in…” involving purebred dogs. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reported from Scam Tracker that in 2020 there were nearly 4,000 reports of animal scams in the United States and Canada. It reported that the median loss was $750 with the target audience being adults aged 35-to-65. The BBB also quoted law enforcement and consumer advocates as observing that nearly everyone searching online will encounter a scam listing or website selling puppies or kittens.


BBB Pet Scam Tracker Data YEAR


2017 2018 2019


SCAM REPORTS 884


1,578 1,870


2020 (Jan 1 – Nov 30) 3,969 2021 (projected)


4,300


pets, the commercial pet product businesses have been booming. USA Today has been tracking:


1. Amazon and Chewy, the pet supply home delivery company, have increased sales of 11-46%.


2. Pet food sales up 7% (petfoodindustry.com). 3. Pet insurance up 46%. 4. Trips to a veterinarian are up 14% after a slowdown in the beginning of the pandemic.


5. Overall increases in “pet durables: from various sources indicate a 16-28% increase.


6. Pet services are up 5% overall, which includes dog walking, pet transportation, grooming, etc. (appa.org).


So, more than likely, there will continue to be more pets in our communities. Based on the number of new pets seen in Zoom board and owner meetings, there are many new, furry members of households in community associations.


Pet waste cleanup is the number one complaint. In the new world of science and technology there is now a DNA test to catch habitual violators.


LOSSES $448,123 $718,248 $1,016,380 $2,843,552 $3,100,000


Increase in Pet Popularity Statistics indicate that the demand for pets increased significantly during the past year. An


estimate from USA Today in September 2020 states that pet placements from all sources, including adoptions and private sales, are up 73 percent. And along with the new


Common Pet-Related Issues As a professional working in the insurance industry, the mantra “Pets, Pools, and Parking”


refers to some of the biggest areas of conflict within community associations. Pet cleanup is probably the number one complaint, and by now most associations have bag dispensers in approved areas to use for dog waste. In the new world of science and technology there is a DNA test to catch habitual violators. There are several options that can be found online. Alternative options include fresh grass patches delivered on a regular basis and placed on your deck or patio. Other issues related to animal waste include the increased disposal of cat litter and house-training pads or diapers, which can create plumbing or waste-disposal issues.


Continued On Page 16  wscai.org 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32