Petcarers Bendigo owner Sharon Moore said separation anxiety is common in pets - particularly dogs.

"Dogs especially, and cats too, miss their families and can end up with separation anxiety," she said.

"So if the kids are going back to school and parents are going to back to the office, you should let you pets spend time outside, or inside but with limited contact to family, so they can self regulate their emotions (before being left alone)."

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Ms Moore said signs of separation anxiety in dogs are jumping on owners when they get home, destructive behaviours and barking.

Cats can show anxiety by not using their litter trays and staying awake all night after sleeping during the day.

"There are lots of enrichment ideas to keep (pets) mentally stimulated," she said. "Things like rotating toys and hiding treats so they have to find them. You could also (arrange) to give your dog a walk in the middle of the day.

"You've got to think about it from their perspective. They are going from all this fantastic attention to, all of a sudden, being by themselves during the day."

During 2020, the Bendigo Animal Relief Centre found homes for all their dogs.

"It was phenomenal. A lot of the rescue groups were the same," Ms Moore said. "Let's hope those families keep the pets and don't want to surrender them once they go back to work. We hope they've got a strong bond."