Prepared for influx of animals
Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society ( PADS) is bracing itself for an influx of pets bought in lockdown, which their owners can no longer cope with.
The warning of potentially difficult times to come and an increase in residents at the Forteviot kennels coincides with new figures released by the Scottish SPCA.
The national animal welfare charity recently revealed a 134 per cent increase in people looking to give up unwanted animals.
A spokesperson explained that, from September last year until earlier this month, the Scottish SPCA received 476 calls from people looking to rehome their animals.
This compares to 205 calls in the same period in 2019/20.
Of these, calls about unwanted dogs increased by 103 per cent from 105 to 213, with calls about unwanted cats jumping 151 per cent, from 61 to 153.
The Scottish SPCA predicted an increase in unwanted animals last year after an explosion in demand for pets among people at home due to the pandemic.
A generation of pups will have grown up in a household where the family is often around.
Once that situation changes it can be hard for a dog to adjust and this can lead to behavioural issues and separation anxiety.
When dogs become bored and destructive, at this point many owners considering giving up their pet.
A spokesperson for the Scottish SPCA said: “It is heart-breaking to see a healthy animal which loves their family given up because the owners have lost interest or not considered how their circumstances may change.
“We would urge people to consider a reputable behaviourist or training before they give up their pet.”
Alison Kennedy, chair of PADS, said its kennels were currently “eerily quiet”, with only five dogs there currently when they have capacity for up to 30.
But she cautioned: “So far, PADS has not had the influx of dogs but we are acutely aware this could happen.
“We’ve been operating at Forteviot for 30 years and we have not had so many unwanted dogs in the past five years as we did when we first opened. But I fear that is about to change.
“I don’t think the impact of all those puppies bought last year has quite hit yet, but I forecast the perfect storm for our charity when the economy picks up.
“Certainly we expect to get dogs where owners have died from Covid- 19 but in the month ahead we expect many to be surrendered because the people who have been at home caring for them have to go back to work and the animal becomes distressed because its life is turned upside down.
“It’s really disturbing to hear about people, who paid highly to get a puppy they now don’t want, have been trying to re-sell them in some cases.
“This has been a unique year past, but when we get the upturn in calls, we will be prepared.
“PADS has a list of people prepared to give an unwanted dog a home.”
Alison repeated the slogan put out recently by the Dogs’ Trust: “A dog is for life. Not just for lockdown.”
Anyone considering giving up their animal should contact PADS on 01764 684 491.
Alternatively, telephone the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
Information can be passed to the charity in confidence.