‘More and more dogs need our help’

THE pandemic has been a very human crisis – but the nation’s dogs have suffered, too. As events unfolded, we, like all charities, had to react quickly to ensure that our dogs continued to receive vital care.

The unwavering dedication of our incredible staff and volunteers meant that despite adapting to the myriad difficulties that lockdown presented – including disruptions to our rehoming processes, Dog School training classes being postponed, key fundraising activities halting overnight and unscrupulous puppy smugglers cashing in on the demand for dogs – stray and abandoned dogs were still able to rely on us to keep them safe and healthy during lockdown and beyond.

While we weathered the storm thanks to generous donations from loyal supporters, the fallout from the pandemic is far from over. We are awake to the crisis patterns we have previously seen unfold and are concerned about the impending dog welfare crises.

From previous experience, more dog owners are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their dogs during periods of financial hardship. Over two million dogs were welcomed into homes during the pandemic, without the usual access to training and socialisation; a cause for concern as dog behaviour problems are the most common reason for dogs being abandoned. In fact, our research has found that over a third of owners of teenage dogs admitted they needed more time for training them. As the world returns to some semblance of normality, dog owners will undoubtedly face tough choices in the months to come.

While we can’t predict the future, what we can be certain of is that we will continue to be there to support dogs and their owners, even through the most challenging times to ensure all dogs live a happy life.