For many people, lockdown seemed like the perfect time to buy a puppy. Long days for training your forever companion, who undoubtedly would also keep the kids interested and bring a smile to everyone’s face at such a difficult time.
Seems ideal, right?
Consequently, lockdown led to a huge rise in demand for puppies. According to Pets4Homes, the average price of puppies rose from £888 last year to £1,883 this year.
For some people, this was perfect, but for the dogs, maybe not so much.
Firstly, the surge in demand may have led to puppy farms increasing their business. Worryingly, a study from The Kennel Club found that one in four pandemic puppy owners might inadvertently have bought their pet from a puppy farm.
Another main worry is how all the dogs will cope now that life is heading back to normal. For some, returning to work may mean that the puppy becomes just another problem, especially as they grow up and lose that ‘puppy cuteness’. Dogs who are used to companionship may develop intense separation anxiety if expected to wait at home for six hours a day. This means dog charities are expecting a large rise in abandoned dogs.
Remember, a dog is for life, not just for lockdown.
Written by Cara H
Artwork by Zara Masood
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