However, one in five didn’t make a plan for going back to ‘normal’ and 15% of puppy buyers in the South East admit they may have bought from a puppy farm.
New statistics provide a state-of-the-nation picture of life in lockdown, as thousands sought canine companionship to get through the isolation and anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The research, released this week by the Kennel Club as part of its #BePuppywise campaign, shows 16 per cent of dog owners in the South East said the main reason for getting their puppy was to have a lockdown companion to help them and their family, and 19 per cent said it was because they were spending more time at home than usual.
Almost a third (32 per cent) of locals believe lockdown was the perfect time to get a puppy – with two in three (66 per cent) also stating their dog was the best thing about lockdown – yet thousands missed puppy buying red flags:
- 29 per cent paid money before actually seeing their puppy
- Over a quarter (26 per cent) didn’t see the puppy’s breeding environment
- An overwhelming three in four (77 per cent) weren’t asked any questions by the breeder about their suitability as owners
One in five (21 per cent) spent less than two hours doing their research before getting a puppy, leaving them particularly vulnerable to scams and unable to spot the signs of an unscrupulous breeder. Shockingly, 15 per cent of puppy buyers in the South East think their puppy could have originated from a puppy farm.
Welfare organisations like the Kennel Club are also concerned about the long-term consequences of these quick decisions, especially in the current situation:
- More than one in five (22 per cent) of South East dog owners didn’t make a plan for going back to ‘normal’ before getting their puppy
- Over half (59 per cent) didn’t research puppy training, with behaviour and socialisation after lockdown causing concern
- Nearly a third (32 per cent) don’t have pet insurance
- Almost one in five (16 per cent) admit they hadn’t fully considered the long-term responsibility that comes with having a dog
Following these findings, the Kennel Club has launched its #BePuppywise campaign, urging people to take their time and do proper research when getting a dog. The campaign provides advice, tools and resources, from videos to top tips for both potential owners to help them find the right dog and breeder, and prepare for their new family member, as well as those new owners who are struggling with their pandemic puppy, helping them care for their new best friend as lockdown lifts and beyond.
“Our dogs are certainly helping us through the pandemic, providing a welcome and happy distraction as Covid-19 causes anxiety, suffering and disruption across the nation,” commented Bill Lambert, Head of Health and Welfare at the Kennel Club. “However we do have concerns about those puppies which may have been bought on impulse, without owners doing their homework on how or where to get a dog responsibly, or fully realising a puppy is a new family member for life, not a short-term commodity.
“These hasty decisions not only play into the hands of the opportunistic scammers and puppy farmers operating during the pandemic – but can also sadly result in puppies being rehomed if owners haven’t carefully considered how their dog will fit their ‘normal’ life. In the current climate it’s never been more crucial to be puppywise via thorough, extensive research, taking time to find the right dog and breeder, and being aware of the red flags, as well as preparing for your new arrival and being a responsible owner. By wising up, you’re actively taking steps to prevent a potentially damaging lockdown legacy for puppies across the UK.”
Find out more about #BePuppywise here.
