"Owners Consider Giving Up Dogs Due To Pandemic", Says Shoreham Dogs Trust

Dogs Trust has seen a 41% increase in web traffic to its 'giving up your dog' page since August 2020.

The UK's largest dog welfare charity said the figures indicate that more people are considering parting with their pet during the pandemic.

Owners are encouraged to seek help if they are struggling to care for their dog in the fallout from the pandemic.

Between August 2020 and January 2021, Dogs Trust saw a 41% increase in web traffic to its ‘Giving Up Your Dog’ page compared to the six-month period beforehand.

The charity has released snippets of real phone calls made to Dogs Trust’s helpline from members of the public.

The recordings highlight the anguish felt by owners whose lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic as they make the devastating decision to hand over their dogs to the charity.

It describes just some of the reasons people have approached the charity for support in recent months, and how a call to Dogs Trust changed the tale for these dogs and their owners.

In one call, a lady explains the pain of having to give up her dog having lost her job and home. Other callers cite the burden of increased working hours, firm closures, house evictions and financial struggles.

Dogs Trust has released these calls to shed light on the struggles that more owners could face in the months and years ahead.

Dogs Trust Shoreham has helped to change the tale for seven spaniel pups - Spud, Parsnip, Sausage, Chestnut, Cranberry, Sprout and Pud.  

The eight-week-olds came into the rehoming centre in December. An unplanned litter, the owner couldn’t cope and contacted Dogs Trust for help. 

After allowing them to settle in, staff began teaching the pups basic skills, such as how to sit and wear a collar and lead. All seven went off to their new homes in time for Christmas.  

Spud – now called George – was adopted by Fiona Box and her partner living in Worthing with their two chickens. 

Fiona said:

“George is a typical puppy – when he’s good he’s very, very good and when he’s bad he’s naughty! 

“He likes to chew on anything that is my favourite really; my favourite rug, cushions, spectacles. 

“Despite trying to eat absolutely everything in sight he is utterly adorable. He’s great with other dogs and enjoys regular walks with his four-legged-friends and takes everything in his stride.” 

Adel Burnett, Manager at Dogs Trust Shoreham Rehoming Centre, said: 

“It is so wonderful to know that George has found his forever home, along with many other dogs that we have been able to change the tale for, thanks to people like the Box family choosing to adopt.    

“We know that the pandemic, and its economic repercussions, will have devastating effects on some people’s lives and their ability to care for their pets. When people take on the responsibilities of dog ownership, they do so with the best intentions to care for them long-term. But as the calls to Dogs Trust show, in these extraordinary times circumstances can change in a heartbeat, leaving owners with incredibly tough decisions to make.   

“It is heart-breaking to hear someone having to choose, for example, between a roof over their head, or their dog and we’d like to thank the people who made these calls for allowing us to share their story and for coming to us in their time of need. Unfortunately, we believe the worst is yet to come and we expect many more calls like this as the pandemic fallout continues - and we will do all we can to help those in need of our support.”   

If you are struggling and need advice or support to give up your dog, would like to know more about how Dogs Trust is helping keep dogs and owners together or if you would like to donate to Dogs Trust, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/changethetale