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The doghouse

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Original poster

Increase in dog ownership – has this led to more dogs being rehomed?

23 replies

PearlHeart3 · 25/01/2021 22:40

Hi all, I haven't changed my name for this because I have nothing to hide! But I do have a request. I am a degree student currently studying journalism. I'm also a dog owner to a poorly miniature schnauzer with lymphoma cancer, but that's another story. I am currently researching whether the uptake in dog ownership since lockdown measures have been in place has led to an increase in the number of dogs being re-sold, re-homed, or abandoned. I have contacted local and national charities/shelters for their view (pending a response), but I would also like to hear from anyone who has heard, or experienced this first or second hand? Or perhaps you were someone who had their dog rehomed? If so, I would be grateful if you would be willing to share your story with me either on this thread or via private message.

I have no agenda other than I love dogs and I wanted to highlight this issue and use it as part of my degree research. Thank you.

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AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 26/01/2021 08:33

I haven't - but I think if / when it happens, the crunch point will be when furlough ends, when people stop WFH (x-ref separation anxiety in dogs that have just never been left because of WFH), and when unemployment rises much higher than it currently is.

PollyRoulson · 26/01/2021 08:51

You can use ancedotal evidence in degree article now - really?

iVampire · 26/01/2021 08:53

I think you need to rely on responses from the rehoming organisations, not anecdote from goodness-knows-who online

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 26/01/2021 09:32

For all those stating about anecdotal information, yes absolutely you can as long as you make it clear that's what it is. I'm looking at a variety of sources for information. Any responses from here will be used to get a general idea of public perception or experience.

To be clear, it's research and it won't be published in a journal and cited as evidence. But thank you for your concern.

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages Thank you for sharing. The data coming from shelters is that they have seen an increase in calls, but there is nothing concrete in statistics about the number of dogs they have taken in or re-homed.

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MrsBobDylan · 26/01/2021 10:33

As a pp said, I think that sadly, once people are physically back in the working place there will be an abundance of dogs needing to be re-homed.

It is probably to early to cover a story with that angle but you could start by looking at home the figures of dog ownership have risen and getting an expert to talk about the possible implications of this. Also to look at how people have sourced dogs during lockdowns and lined the pockets of puppy farmers.

To be honest we could do with an article like in the national media now to remind people that 'a dog is for life, not just for lockdown.'

BiteyShark · 26/01/2021 10:44

I know a couple of people that have got puppies in lockdown but by they time they will be back in the office they will be adult dogs.

My adult dog goes to daycare when I am in the office. If I had got him during lockdown it wouldn't have made any difference as I always thought of paying for dog walkers etc.

bunnygeek · 26/01/2021 11:50

@MrsBobDylan

As a pp said, I think that sadly, once people are physically back in the working place there will be an abundance of dogs needing to be re-homed.

To be honest we could do with an article like in the national media now to remind people that 'a dog is for life, not just for lockdown.'

There's been lots of those articles, but they've been falling on deaf ears. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/04/dogs-are-for-life-not-just-coronavirus-lockdown-says-charity

Ultimately the situation with rescue dogs is "ongoing". They won't see everything go completely insane with intakes until the lockdowns end, everyone is vaccinated and trying to go back to "normal" life with commuting to work and going on foreign holidays. There's definitely been a huge rise in requests to adopt, but the intake isn't there yet, if anything intake has dropped significantly.

Hoppinggreen · 26/01/2021 12:39

I agree. I think that most people are still wfh and foreign holidays don’t seem to be on the cards. Once things return to a bit more normality I think people will start to want to get rid of their dogs

sillysmiles · 26/01/2021 12:45

As lockdowns continue dog ownership will maintain, how ever when pressure comes on and people have to go back to work or realise how much kennelling costs for a 2 week holiday, then I think we will see an increase in abandonment and an increase in those posts "due to a change in circumstances.... much loved dog is needing a new home" Those posts are rage inducing!

Sitdowncupoftea · 26/01/2021 12:48

I know a few people who have adopted from rescues. I myself took a rescue pup as the rescue was full. Many smaller rescues are having difficulty as a lot of their income is on fundraising and they cannot do outdoor events or stalls , festivals due to covid. After the first lockdown in March when buisnesses started to slowly reopen yes dogs were given up to rescues I got one due to the rescue being full.

Darklane · 27/01/2021 09:23

With the silly prices that people have been paying I expect more will try to sell them on rather than give them up to rescue societies. Very worrying as there will be no care as to where they go as long as they can recoup some of the cost. Giving them to a rescue will be the last resort I think.
Established, good breeders usually have a clause in the sale to say the pup should be returned to them if they can no longer keep it but a lot just haven’t been breeding or selling this last year. So many of the recently bought puppies will be from people just jumping on the breeding bandwagon, greeders, & they are very unlikely to want older puppies back.

Sunflowergirl1 · 27/01/2021 09:52

I have a,ways refused to have a dog despite having one as a child because I know the commitment they really need....and I don't want the hair and smells in my house. As a result I have resisted calls from DH and children over years which got vociferous during lockdown one. I pointed out reality like....we love holidaying abroad and also U.K. a lot. Kennels would cost as much as a holiday place and I don't think it is right. Oh...they didn't want to give up holidays. Got all the promises that at 6am they would all be walking the dog...oh yes good intentions. Anyway I held firm

Some friends buckled. Got lovely dogs, think Cockerpoo. Can't understand why when in normal times they all work and school all day. Some working from home but not consistent so dog alone all day unless they engage doggy day care. Went for a walk with them and (pre latest lockdown)..can only do 20 mins as apparently Cockerpoos have in bred faults to their hips so have to limit walking until an adult dog!

Another friend similar but basically it is now preying on their mind as to when Covid is over....their employers are clear that WFH 100% won't be continuing so they now have a dog sat at home all day on own. Doggy day care is £23 per day for a decent package so she is now facing a bill of at least £5k a year. Her DH has now hit the roof having realised, so clearly didn't think it through. They are now thinking if rehoming but accept they won't get anywhere near what they paid.

I just feel sad for all these dogs who will shortly be wanted but owners were shortsighted and can't care for them properly

ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2021 10:02

I am currently researching whether the uptake in dog ownership since lockdown measures have been in place has led to an increase in the number of dogs being re-sold, re-homed, or abandoned.

Yes, it's already been covered in the mainstream media.

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 13:35

Hi all, thank you for your responses.

There is some media coverage about this issue already, although most news articles, if not all (as far as I can see) state that Dogs Trust have noticed an increase in the number of enquiries they have received (1800 calls) in the last three months (whenever that period is?!) about people looking to rehome their dogs. However I can't seem to find the original publication from Dogs Trust about this. The only thing I could find that makes reference to 1,800 is this article published in July 2020:

www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/news/2020/dogs-trust-warns-up-to-40-000-dogs-could-be-at-risk-of-abandonment-in-the-fallout-of-the-coronavirus-crisis

which talks about 1,800 dogs that may need to be put down.

I don't know where the multiple news articles have got this figure from about increased calls. Can anyone shed any light on this? I can't!

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Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 13:38

@ErrolTheDragon

I am currently researching whether the uptake in dog ownership since lockdown measures have been in place has led to an increase in the number of dogs being re-sold, re-homed, or abandoned.

Yes, it's already been covered in the mainstream media.

Does that mean my research should not be conducted then because this has already been covered? Shall I just be happy with what news articles are telling me and never seek to take it any further?

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Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 13:44

@Sitdowncupoftea

This is interesting. I didn't think about the loss of fundraising to charities and shelters due to the lockdown measures. It's a difficult time.

I will be speaking to a local animal shelter this week who are a charity and I know they rely on donations. It is something I can ask them about how they are managing with getting donations during lockdown.

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Rollercoaster1920 · 27/01/2021 13:59

If your course is journalism, I thought you should be studying/ critiquing media coverage of a story, rather than trying to write a story yourself.

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 14:06

@Rollercoaster1920

If your course is journalism, I thought you should be studying/ critiquing media coverage of a story, rather than trying to write a story yourself.

My course isn't Journalism, but thank you for asking

This isn't a dissertation project either for those who are curious. We've been tasked with writing several news and feature articles based on primary research

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ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2021 15:06

Does that mean my research should not be conducted then because this has already been covered? Shall I just be happy with what news articles are telling me and never seek to take it any further?

No, I was answering the 'whether'. You asked if anyone had heard of it.

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 15:11

@ErrolTheDragon

Does that mean my research should not be conducted then because this has already been covered? Shall I just be happy with what news articles are telling me and never seek to take it any further?

No, I was answering the 'whether'. You asked if anyone had heard of it.

Thanks. It's just you answered the question without any personal contribution. If I wanted to use solely media articles to answe my question, I would!

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Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 15:13

Apologies, pressed send too soon (the joys of trying to juggle a toddler and a degree).

Is there anything else you would like to share about the subject @ErrolTheDragon

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PollyRoulson · 27/01/2021 15:46

Primary research is Mumsnet . How education has changed!

Original poster

PearlHeart3 · 27/01/2021 16:07

@PollyRoulson

Primary research is Mumsnet

. How education has changed!

Yeah it is, since no one is keen to have me in their homes, I can't talk to people in town because the streets are empty and I'm struggling to get a good response from the animal charities because they are underfunded and understaffed, using a dog friendly forum to ask people some questions is really such a stretch?

Education has changed. Do you have children? How are they finding homeschooling? Or are they lucky enough to be in school at the moment?

As I said, any responses I generate from here will not be used as 'findings' in my research, I'm using it to get an idea of public perception at the moment. Thanks for your comments though. Really helpful 👍

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