PAMELA LAWSON, managing director of the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), has said there has been a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the number of persons taking in sick animals to the veterinary clinic since the COVID-19 pandemic.
She added: “Let’s say if 50 clients come in one day, the number of animals seen would be much higher as one client will not necessarily bring in one animal,” disclosed Lawson, while noting that one client will bring up to two adult dogs and six puppies during one visit.
The large turnouts have been a concern for her in light of the social-distancing guidelines, and especially for the significant number of elderly clients who also come in with their animals.
Another concern for Lawson is the number of animals that come to the clinic and which have been obviously sick for some time.
She explained that clients often take a wait-and-see approach, and in the process delay medical attention for their sick animals.
