I have always been drawn in by stories on the news, recalling heartbreaking stories about puppy farms and the struggles of dog shelters. Unfortunately every year the number of abandoned animals increases. This saw a particular surge caused by the global pandemic, where when the majority of people were stuck at home they imagined they could handle a dog. Now that reality has resumed, many of these puppies which are now dogs have been abandoned due to the reality and responsibility of taking care of a dog.
From my research, the main reasons for dog abandonment seem to be as follows:
Other than a few of these factors, including changes to personal health or lifestyle which are unpredictable, I am confident that all of these factors can be avoided when an owner is fully prepped and educated on the proper care and time required to give a dog the life they deserve.
An estimated 664,000 dogs enter UK shelters each year and the number of stray dogs that local authorities are taking in is increasing.
Demand for dogs is always high. The renowned Battersea Dogs Home fielded over 40,000 applications between April and June 2020 – an increase of 53% over the previous three months. Charities, including the Dog’s Trust, warn that people are returning dogs bought during the pandemic, reinforcing that you shouldn’t adopt without careful consideration.