> . Mass closures likely if call for help is ignored
> . Kennels say “we are the forgotten few”
> . Forced to remain open with little or no support
> . Animals could be at risk with fewer legal establishments trading
Research by thegoodkennelguide.co.uk has found that more than half of the nation’s licensed boarding kennels will be forced out of business before the Summer, sparking an animal welfare crisis ahead of a much-anticipated and busy holiday season. With foreign travel not set to resume until 17 May at the earliest, this will be too late for many businesses whose recovery will take longer than most.
Dog owners could be dismayed to find that their trusted kennel is no longer able to take care of their dog when they jet-off for what will be for many their first holiday in more than a year. This comes at a time when more people than ever have taken on a dog for the first time, conditions which would have created a business boom in normal times.
The survey found that more than half of kennels will close in the next six months and many are on the verge of closing almost immediately – if they have not already been forced to close their doors. A further third will close if business does not improve in the next 12 months or financial support is not forthcoming.
ANIMAL WELFARE
The boarding kennel industry has been entirely forgotten and left behind by the government, which is sparking a crisis for boarding kennels and dog owners alike. Categorised as “animal welfare” – the same as vets and rescue centres – kennels have not been ordered to close and in many cases have had to remain open to take care of animals, despite bookings drying up. It was reported by 98 per cent of kennels that bookings had drastically decreased with many saying that bookings have entirely collapsed. This also means that they are not entitled to the same support as other sectors on which their business is dependent such as tourism and hospitality.
The sad irony is that so many of these businesses are now on the brink of permanent closure through lack of financial support that a genuine animal welfare emergency could be on the cards this summer.
One kennel reported to The Good Kennel Guide: “We cannot survive much longer and so when things return to some sort of normality and people want to board their animals these kennels and catteries won’t be there anymore due to the fact that they could stay open but have no trade and were given no support whatsoever”.
Sarah Harrison, founder of The Good Kennel Guide, said: “We are calling on Government and local authorities to look again at the support that our hardworking, experienced, licensed boarding kennels and catteries need NOW. We have heard so many heartbreaking stories from businesses that have either had to close, lay off staff or are shutting their doors permanently in some cases. Kennels have been forced to stay open during the pandemic and provide a vital service with very little recognition and have even been refused support. If we lose boarding kennel businesses, we’ll be left with a surge of animals being left at home, dumped or being sent to animal rescue centres. It might also mean that there is an uptick in illegal and unlicensed animal boarding. Both of these factors put the lives and welfare of animals genuinely at risk.”
How long could your animal boarding establishment continue to operate if current conditions were to continue?.
Already closed . 2%
Will close within six months (with ~8% closing within less than one month). 52%
Six months – one year . 32%
More than one year. 12%
Don’t know. 2%
For more information on go to: thegoodkennelguide.co.uk
*125 licensed boarding kennel establishments in England, Scotland and Wales were surveyed between 22 February 2021 and 9 March 2021**
