RSPCA warning over sharp rise in online dog sales

Animal welfare experts have warned of a “major dog welfare crisis” following a spike in the number of dogs being sold online during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Research from Dogs Trust in November revealed that Google searches for ‘buy a puppy’ increased by 115 per cent since the start of the UK lockdown on 23 March.

Elsewhere, Pets4Homes recorded a 51 per cent increase in the demand for puppies since the beginning of the pandemic.

A sharp rise in pet ownership has also led to a spike in dog thefts and the cost of the animals, with some dog prices increasing month-on-month since the lockdown began, according to Dogs Trust.

Desirable breeds also face a heightened risk of being illegally imported into the country via puppy smuggling, prompting calls for potential pet owners to purchase animals from reputable breeders.

‘Major dog welfare crisis’ expected this year

Dr Samantha Gaines, a dog welfare specialist at the RSPCA, said: “We expect that we’ll see a major dog welfare crisis this year.”

“We’ve probably yet to see the worst to come. We’re now into the third lockdown in England and people still are at home with their puppies that they bought last year, some people will be thinking about getting puppies now,” she told Sky News.

”If there is anyone at this moment in time that is thinking about getting a dog or a puppy because they’re at home, we’d urge people to be very, very careful and to make sure they do their research,” she said.

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A poll conducted by YouGov in December revealed that just over one in 10 (11 per cent) of pet owners had taken on a pet during lockdown. Of these, nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) said that their pet had been more expensive that they had expected.

Research conducted by the Kennel Club in July reveals how dogs are an important source of emotional support during the pandemic, reducing loneliness during lockdown and helping owners’ cope mentally during the crisis, with 91 per cent of those polled saying that their dog had had a positive impact on their mental health and well-being.

‘The last thing we want to see is animals dumped and left out in the cold’

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, warned people to think twice before committing to a new pet, however.

“While it’s great that so many people have become pet owners and have found their pet to be a real source of comfort during these challenging times, we are concerned that some people may have bought a pet on impulse without considering how their lifestyle might change once the pandemic ends,” he said.

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“On top of that, we are facing real economic uncertainties, and, as in previous recessions, people may simply find themselves unable to afford their pet.

“The last thing we want to see is animals dumped and left out in the cold so we’d urge anyone who is struggling to care for their pets to please reach out to friends, family and charities for support instead,” he added.

The animal welfare charity said it had received 11,052 reports on its cruelty line about abandoned animals since the beginning of lockdown (March 23) until 29 November.