PRICE OF PETS IN PANDEMIC

The hidden cost of a furry friend, Money,

THE pandemic pet boom has pushed up the price of a puppy to as much as €3,000 and the bill for some breeds of cat to up to €2,000 or more. This means it is now costing up to five or even six times more to buy a dog today than before the pandemic — while there has been at least a two-fold increase in the price of certain cats. The steep rise in pet price tags is largely due to the increased demand that has arisen over the various lockdowns — with remote workers seeing the long spells at home as an opportunity to get a furry friend for the family, while the company of a pet has been appealing to those living alone.

“Before the pandemic, you could have got a pedigree puppy for €500 — but you’ll pay upwards of €2,000 today,” said Becky Bristow, executive director of the charity, Dogs Trust Ireland. “If you’re looking for a particular type of dog, you could pay more — you could pay anywhere up to €3,000 for a designer crossbreed.”

Designer crossbreeds — such as the cockapoo (a crossbreed bred from a cocker spaniel and a poodle) — are particularly popular, added Bristow. A cockapoo puppy was recently advertised online for €2,000 while a Maltipoo puppy (a crossbreed bred from a Maltese and a poodle) was on sale for €2,400, according to research by this paper. Recognised pedigree breeds can also be pricey — one website for example had Doberman puppies for sale for €3,000 a pup, a Golden Retriever puppy advertised for €2,000 and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy priced at €2,000.

For cat lovers, the increased popularity of Maine Coons has made this breed a pricey buy.

“I’ve heard it can cost up to €1,000 for a Maine Coon,” said Lorna Taylor, honorary chair of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Ireland (GCCFI), the registering body for pedigree cats in Ireland. “It would have cost between €500 and €600 for a Maine Coon this time last year. There are people charging €1,500 or more for other [cat] breeds.”

An Abyssinian kitten for example was recently advertised online for €2,500, while a British short hair kitten was priced at €1,500, according to research by this paper. A Maine Coon kitten was for sale for €1,000 online recently — while an adult Maine Coon male was priced at €1,700.

RULES FOR PET BUYERS

You may have you heart set on buying a cat or dog despite the prices — however be careful how you do so.

Don’t buy a pet online. There are concerns about the welfare of animals being sold online and there have also been cases of stolen dogs being advertised online. Some websites have suspended adverts for dog sales as a result.

“If you buy a dog online, it is very likely the dog will have behavioural issues and will not have been socialised [where a dog learns to relate appropriately to animals and people],” said Bristow. “It may also have veterinary issues. A dog should be spotless and bouncy and shiny and healthy when you buy it.”

Approach your local vet instead if you would like to get a pet. “Your local vet may know someone local whose dog is breeding or who has had an accidental litter,” said Bristow. “Or else use petbond.ie.” Petbond.ie is an online platform which was set up by vets and which helps people looking for a dog to source one from a breeder who has looked after the mum and the pups — and who has the welfare of the dogs at heart. You can also use Petbond to source dogs from a registered rescue centre.

Only deal with reputable breeders when getting a pet. The Irish Kennel Club (IKC) is the registration body for pedigree dogs. Breeders that are members of the IKC are bound by the club’s code of ethics. So if you buy a puppy from an IKC member, the dog should be healthy and it should have been bred in the right conditions. You will also get a registration cert from the breeder which is issued by the IKC — which will prove the pedigree and date of birth of your dog.

Failure to buy a pet from a reputable breeder or seller could cost you a lot of money in the long run — or see your pet die at a very young age. “If a dog hasn’t been ethically bred, the dog could have breathing problems or hip problems,” said Bristow. The dog may need expensive surgery as a result.

The pandemic has made it more difficult to check the authenticity of breeders.

“Normally if buying a cat, you would come to the breeder’s house and meet the cats — but this isn’t possible now with the pandemic,” said Taylor. “If the pandemic wasn’t here, you’d expect to see a cat in the breeder’s house before you buy it. You should see the mother — and the father, if the breeder has the father. The breeder should show you documentation to prove the pedigree when you come to visit — or else one for the mother. You need to get the paperwork when picking up the kitten or a legitimate reason why the paperwork is late.”

Should you have any doubts about the authenticity of a breeder, contact the IKC (for dog breeders) or the GCCFI (for cat breeders) before you buy the pet.

RED FLAGS TO WATCH

“When you ring a breeder about buying a dog, if the initial discussion is about putting down a deposit and going on a waiting list, walk away,” said Sean Delmar, President of the IKC. “Responsible breeders will ensure they get a home that’s suitable for the dog — so if it’s a genuine breeder, he’ll be asking you questions to see if the dog suits you and your family and home. So if the initial questions [from the breeder] include why did you decide to get this dog, are you in a suitable home for this type of dog and so on, the breeder should be genuine.”

Another red flag is if the breeder suggests you pick up the puppy from a car park, garage or layby. “You should always only collect from where the pup is reared and ask if it is possible to see the mother,” said Delmar.

Steer clear of breeders that are selling kittens or dogs that are only a few weeks old.

A kitten should not be separated from his or her mother before the kitten is 13-weeksold, according to the GCCFI. A puppy should not leave his mother until he or she is at least eight-weeks-old — and some believe a puppy should be at least 12-weeks-old. “One of the worries [about the increased demand for pets] is that as there are not that many pedigree cats available here, people are buying nonregistered and under-age cats — and having problems with them as a result,” said Taylor.

BE READY TO WAIT

You must usually wait a few months — or more — for a pedigree dog or cat. “If the dog is very readily available, something is wrong,” said Bristow.

You could have to wait for a year or more for a certain breed of cat, according to Taylor.

You shouldn’t however let a wait put you off a pet. “If you’re serious about getting a dog, you’ll wait to get the right dog,” said Delmar.

GIVE IT THOUGHT

Understand the responsibility and long-term commitment of having a pet . “There’s a worry people are looking for an animal to occupy themselves during lockdown — and if they go back to work, they may not have the time to look after them,” said Delmar. “The danger for dog owners is that when they go back to work, the dog becomes a problem or an issue — or the dog becomes destructive as there’s no one in the home.”

Be sure to choose a pet that is suitable for you and your home. “If you’re living in an apartment, a wolfhound is not the dog for you,” said Delmar. “If you live in the country, get a dog that needs a garden. If you are old and living alone, a small dog might be best. If you are thinking of getting a dog, you need to give it a lot of thought — and see if it really is for the family. You’re taking a living being and a responsibility into your home. Be sure your family is ready to accept the dog and that it’s a longterm arrangement. A dog is a big responsibility but dogs give so much back too.”

Whatever the pet , never rush into getting one. It could be a costly mistake otherwise — particularly for the animal concerned.