How we can stop the surge of unwanted pets
As celebs come under fire for buying pets during lockdown, Closer looks at how fostering is a responsible way to bring an animal into your life…
When celeb couple Jacqueline Jossa, 28, and Dan Osborne, 29, drove eight hours to meet their new rottweiler puppy, Tyson, the couple’s actions yet again highlighted the growing puppy trade in the UK.
The demand for puppies has rocketed during lockdown, but it could mean an estimated 40,000 more dogs will be in need of homes when normal life resumes and people return to their workplaces.
Although Jac and Dan bought their dog from a protection dog breeder, the growing popularity for puppies has led to warnings from the RSPCA that illegal puppy farms – who are highvolume breeders with little or no regard for the welfare of the dogs they use – will take advantage of the sudden demand, with prices rocketing up to £4,000 for some breeds. While a police investigation into the eight-hour trip under strict lockdown rules concluded that Jan and Dan had travelled for “legitimate business purposes”, they faced a backlash. One Instagram user appeared to question why the pair had purchased a puppy when so many dogs are looking for a home. They added, “Thousands upon thousands of dogs, including dumped lockdown puppies, are in all local animal rescue centres.”
ILLEGAL
But Jac and Dan aren’t the only celebrity couple to come under fire. Just last week, Love Island star Scott Thomas bought a Doberman Pinscher puppy, which he proudly showed off on Instagram, although fans were quick to notice that the pooch’s ears had been clipped – a practice said to give the animals a more ferocious look and is illegal in England and Wales, but can be bought from abroad. As Scott’s followers criticised his decision, he later apologised, claiming that the dog was already in the UK at the time of purchase, but he didn’t want to “condone or glamorise” the practice of clipped ears.
During the pandemic, Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry bought a French bulldog puppy, as did glamour model Jordan – whose previous Frenchie puppy sadly died eight months ago after getting stuck in a chair.
But animal charity group PETA is concerned by celebrities fuelling the puppy trade in lockdown. Mimi Bekhechi, Vice President at PETA UK, tells Closer, “Celebrities are role models, whether they like it or not, and their choices have an impact that reaches far beyond Instagram. It would take very little for them to help homeless dogs by embracing PETA’s ‘Adopt, Never Shop’ strategy for reducing the number of unwanted animals.”
RESPONSIBLE
Fortunately, there are responsible ways to find furry companions closer to home. Hundreds of animals are already in rescue centres across the country, and while these loveable pets wait for forever homes, they need foster volunteers to take on temporary care – a perfect opportunity for those
keen to bring an animal into their life, without the long-term commitment. Sian Sharples, Head of Rehoming Services at national pet charity Blue Cross, tells Closer, “We know pet ownership and online sales of pets have surged over the last year, and appreciate how much companionship a pet can provide. But we’re concerned some people may not have fully considered the commitment they are making. Many dogs will struggle to cope when their owners return to the office, resulting in them being given up to rescue centres or worse still, abandoned.
“We rely on our network of foster carers to help us take care of the thousands of sick, injured and abandoned animals who come into our rehoming centres and animal hospitals every year. Being in a home environment with a loving fosterer can see them blossom. Our pet fostering opportunities range from shortterm to a longer arrangement and could be perfect for animal lovers who are unable to have a pet full-time.”