More than 1800 people have contacted Dog’s trust to rehome unwanted lockdown puppies

[AlternativePerspective]

And 1 in 4 people admitted they had impulse purchased a pet during lockdown.

how the fuck do we get the message home that a puppy isn’t a toy and that people should think twice three, ten times before rushing out and buying one.

And obviously the increased prices aren’t a deterrent, although those are about greed anyway, because these people are buying them for £££ and then selling them on for the same prices.

www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a35115185/hundreds-puppies-resold-abandoned/

So they have the puppies, won't advertise them but have them destroyed instead of rehomed??

No, it means they have a waiting list of people looking for a puppy, so don't need to advertise them.

Just searched again and nothing to support this. Though all the usual dogs imported from romania then being sold, sorry looking for their forever homes here.

Also noticed rescue places asking for £500-700 for dogs of 5+ with relatively challenging needs. Odd

Stupid people.

Really hoping though we're able to find our family best friend after this though. Absolutely won't buy a puppy (reputable breeder or not) but we really want a dog. Unfortunately dogs trust won't re-home to us as we work (DH from home 3 days, and I'm usually home the other 2 but can't guarantee it) and we have kids under 5.

@TheHoneyBadger

It doesn't seem to be reflected on local pet sale and private adoption pages here. This is the second time I've read about it and failed to see any evidence of it.

I've just been on Pets4Homes, and I'vefound the following under the 4-12 month age bracket, within 5 miles of my county.

• a 13 week old golden retriever being rehomed due a "change in circumstances"
• an 8mo Akita
• a 4mo Akita
• a 7mo malamute
• an 8mo malamute
• a 7mo bulldog
• an 8mo bulldog
• a bulldog/cane corso cross
• another 8mo bulldog
• a 7mo anatolian shepherd.

There are 1,157 dogs under that search criteria.

In a way I am glad that those people decided to contact a rescue when they realised that they were no longer able to provide a suitable home for whatever reason. Sticking them on one of the selling sites in the hope that the 'right' home comes along is less responsible , although I do know a couple of people who have got dogs that way and it has been absolutely fine for them and the dog involved.

It doesn't seem to be reflected on local pet sale and private adoption pages here. This is the second time I've read about it and failed to see any evidence of it

^ This, I'm just not convinced that there is an influx of puppies in rescues.

I also don't buy that a 6-8 month old dogs with potential behaviour issues (due to luck of socialising) are not placed on Websites. Plus, we are in an other lockdown, how else are dogs advertised if not through the Internet?

I don't know why people aren't convinced or think it's bullshit. A quick search online will find you loads of young dogs being re-homed - always due to a "change in circumstance".

See the list I posted above.

Absolute fucking numpties. It makes me furious.

The worst thing about this entire thing is lots of people aren't even buying puppies from reputable breeders...they're buying puppy mill puppies.

Lots of KC breeders didn't breed from March-onwards of last year BECAUSE of lock-down. Some of the dog breeds are actually in danger because breeders couldn't breed (such as the Dandy Dinmont who already had low puppy numbers anyway...).

Anyone who bought a puppy in lockdown should be ashamed of themselves (if not pre-planned). Even if you WFH full time, if it's in a stressful job, you probably can't give the puppy the attention it needs.

In normal times breeders should be inspecting homes and/or vetting people before they sell dogs to them. The KC breeder we got our spaniels (brother and sister, same litter) from asked for photographs of our garden with one of us in the photo (as proof), she made sure someone would be home nearly all the time (dad retired so all fine) and she asked to do a 2 month inspection. She even highlighted the risks of getting spaniels (exercise needs, cancer, eye diseases etc) and discussed insurance prices with my parents so they were aware how expensive it could be...All things breeders should do. The fact she was so thorough was incredibly reassuring. We made sure we saw both parents with the puppies/each other, ensured the puppies were health tested and visited them at 3 times before we purchased them.

As many posters have said the price of puppies also shot up in lockdown (which reputable breeders don't do...) so people are paying £2-3K for dogs that have questionable origins and health.

People who shouldn't own pets was a huge issue Pre-COVID and this has just compounded it.

Breeders and buyers need to be far more responsible.

We were planning to get a dog at some point in the next year or two, had plans for dog sitting (my Mum is just up the road), and were prepared for the time and effort and long term commitment of a dog.

Lockdown was a perfect time to get a dog because it gave us time for the dog to settle in, be trained, get into a routine etc, before spending significant time with my Mum. As it turns out, work has realised that being in the office 5 days per week isn't necessarily productive, so we are looking at being in the office part time once lockdown is over. In the meantime DDog has had plenty of time over at Mum's including being left for short periods quite happily.

I’ve been trying to get a rescue dog for approx 9 months and have not been successful in an application... where are all these dogs

Some people are complete cocks it will never change.

Animals aren't our playthings.

I don't think many of these people took into account how much grooming their 'poodly-oodlys' would need and how much it would cost. We're overrun round here with poodle crossed. Several look ratty already :(

I’m not a dog lover either, TheGreatWave but no apology necessary.
We’re not the ones mishandling, traumatising, dumping and abandoning dogs.
It’s too easy to get a dog, and the penalties for being a crap owner are minimal or non-existent.

But you filter it onto the much despised on MN cockapoo and theres only 21 results, including a few litters obviously in the wrong category. But you'd think from reading on here that the whole world has got a lockdown cockapoo that they will definitely end up giving up.

I dunno I just think theres more to the story.

@TheHoneyBadger

Just searched again and nothing to support this. Though all the usual dogs imported from romania then being sold, sorry looking for their forever homes here.

Also noticed rescue places asking for £500-700 for dogs of 5+ with relatively challenging needs. Odd

Can I ask about this.

Our local independent dog rehoming centre which is a full on charity does this. I’m sure they used to get dogs from kill shelters/council shelters in this country but now all the dogs seem to be bussed in from Romania. I’ve seen stuff before about saying should this be done, aren’t there enough dogs in this country which need rehoming, etc.

But it’s never crossed my mind that actually this is some sort of international dog selling business? Is this the thought? That it’s adult dog farming on an international basis?

@Allington

The article said that 1 in 4 people who bought a puppy did less than 2 hours research.

Experienced owners wouldn't necessarily need to do research, so that isn't necessarily a worry.

However, it also says that 'One in five new owners who bought a puppy during the pandemic admit they hadn’t fully considered the long-term commitment or responsibility that comes with having a dog'

which very definitely is.

I wonder if that is unusual though. I can easily imagine 1 in 5 people fail to think about the long term in many areas of their lives.

I am a bit skeptical simply because I have not seen much evidence that there is suddenly a flood of dogs available. People who want dogs are still struggling to find them from rescues or even from breeders to a large extent.

I want a dog. Can't find any!

It seems to be most animal centres are full of puppys kittens etc as i know the one near me isnt rehoming atm but still has dogs and cats literally left at there door.

Oh, and she was an overseas rescue of 7 months that cost all of £300... has the most amazing temperament and is a bundle of love and playfulness.

Sorry that was supposed to reply to @vanillandhoney

@Sprockerdilerock

But you filter it onto the much despised on MN cockapoo and theres only 21 results, including a few litters obviously in the wrong category. But you'd think from reading on here that the whole world has got a lockdown cockapoo that they will definitely end up giving up.

I dunno I just think theres more to the story.

But the story was nothing to do with cockerpoos - it was puppies in general.

The MN "hatred" of cockapoos is separate to the issue at hand.

Those looking in the south east could try

www.facebook.com/SalliPetsRescue

I wonder if the same proportion of people regret having a baby. Now there's a cheery thought.

I wonder if that is unusual though. I can easily imagine 1 in 5 people fail to think about the long term in many areas of their lives.

Very true!