The Gasperich Deierenasyl last year had to halt members of the public from walking its dogs because of health measures imposed as a result of the pandemic.

“It helps us a lot,” shelter press officer Liliane Ferron told Delano, adding that during the closure staff and volunteers had to divide the walking duties between them.

Ferron said the centre, which offers pet adoption (by appointment) has not yet recorded an increase in pet abandonments. However, in 2020 it received a number of calls from people wanting to adopt a dog so they can take it for walks. “I asked ‘what happens if you return to work and the dog is alone, then what do you do?’ They said: ‘We will bring it back!’ It was the minority but there are people who think like that,” Ferron said.

As people have purchased dogs from different sources, the spokeswoman fears that in future there could be a small “bump” in dog abandonments.  “We think that if people return to their routines from before the pandemic, perhaps they will have problems, above all with dogs,” she said. “A dog is for 15 years, a cat is for 20 years. You have to think about what you’ll do with the animal.”

Since 19 April, from Monday to Saturday, at 1pm people armed with an identity card or passport have been able to take one of the 30 listed pooches for a stroll. All visitors must wear masks and observe a two-metre distance from shelter staff.