New research claims almost a third of dog owners regret buying their pet during the first lockdown, and that more than one million animals are at risk of being made homeless by Christmas as a result.
One in 10 owners admitted they’re putting their dog up for adoption, according to the study commissioned by pet food company Natures Menu.
The research of more than 1,000 UK dog owners revealed that 32% felt they didn’t have enough expert advice and guidance to help them through the struggles of pet ownership. As a result, 7% admitted they would not recommend getting a puppy or dog.
Those most likely to be considering giving their dog up for adoption because of a bad experience were in Birmingham (19%), followed by London (16%) and Sheffield (15%).
The research findings follow reports of a huge spike in Brits opting to purchase or adopt a dog since the UK went into its first lockdown on March 23rd.
A total of 16% of dog owners admitted their purchase was an impulse decision and 11% stated that lockdown was the sole reason why they welcomed a dog into their family. These were the most common two reasons among the 25-34 age range.
Melanie Sainsbury, veterinary education manager at Natures Menu, said: “Getting a dog is a massive commitment and careful consideration needs to be made before choosing to purchase or adopt one.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear that so many dogs are at risk of not having a loving home and that pet owners feel they don’t have enough advice on how to deal with bringing a dog into the home.”
Natures Menu has launched a podcast to address key concerns for new dog owners, from weaning puppies to socialising with other dogs and humans, as well as top training tips for misbehaving dogs.
‘The Pupcast’ is available to listen and download from Spotify, Acast, Google Podcasts and iTunes.
