Did breeders play a role that lead to post COVID pandemic incline in euthanasia of dogs in the USA?

1. **Adoption and Relinquishment Trends**: During the pandemic, there was a notable increase in pet adoptions, sometimes referred to as the "pandemic puppy boom." Many people sought companionship during lockdowns, leading to a surge in pet ownership. However, as restrictions eased, some pet owners began to relinquish their pets, contributing to increased shelter populations[2][5].

2. **Euthanasia Rates**: The pandemic influenced euthanasia rates in shelters. While some shelters experienced reduced euthanasia rates during the height of the pandemic due to increased adoptions, the subsequent rise in pet relinquishments has led to an increase in euthanasia rates as shelters became overcrowded[5].

3. **Behavioral Issues**: Puppies raised during the lockdown period showed increased fear and aggression as adults, likely due to limited socialization opportunities during critical developmental periods. This has implications for their adoptability and may indirectly affect euthanasia rates if behavior problems make rehoming difficult[4].

4. **Veterinary Challenges**: Veterinary providers faced increased stress and changes in care provision during the pandemic, which affected end-of-life care and euthanasia processes. The rise in pet ownership added to the workload of veterinary services, contributing to challenges in managing euthanasia decisions[3].

Overall, while breeders may have indirectly influenced these trends by supplying puppies during the pandemic boom, the search results do not specifically address their direct role in affecting euthanasia rates post-pandemic.

Citations:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9755637/

[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.1017954/full

[3] https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1115&context=paij

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10059587/

[5] https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article277598603.html

[6] https://faunalytics.org/pandemic-puppies-were-real-now-for-the-hard-part/

[7] https://doggieharmony.org/blog/community-help-needed-post-covid-pet-overpopulation-housing-costs

[8] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10888705.2022.2038168