Dog adoptions in the UK rose by 64% last month
Dog adoption in Britain rose by 64% this summer, compared to the same time in 2012, with over half finding their new canine companion through their smart phone, according to The Co-operative Pet Insurance.
The stats also show that the once sought after Shih Tzu has dramatically decreased in popularity with British pet lovers opting for more traditional breeds than in previous years.
English Cocker Spaniel's, Labrador's and Yorkshire Terriers are amongst the top five most searched for breeds on dog rehoming website, Dog's Blog.com, with Labrador searches up 35% on last year's figures.
The news is welcomed after recent stats revealed that it costs an average of £14 a day* to care for dogs in re-homing shelters, a figure that is crippling many overcrowded shelters given the average stay of a dog is two months. Many have reported that they are turning hundreds of dogs away a month due to space and financial restrictions.
However, although the news is a positive development for many dog-rehoming organisations, nationwide stats show that dog abandonment has increased by 30% compared to last year. A worrying 60% of UK Dog Rescues & Animal Charities would also say that animal cruelty has increased, with more dogs arriving underweight, in bad condition and malnourished.
10 most searched for dog breeds 2013
1 English Cocker Spaniel (up 27%)
2 Labrador Retriever (up 35%)
3 English Springer Spaniel (up 36%)
4 Yorkshire Terrier (up 14%)
5 West Highland Terrier (up 19%)
6 Shih Tzu (up 6%)
7 Border Collie (up 21%)
8 Whippet (up 20%)
9 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (up 15%)
10 Poodle Cross (up 21%)
Andrew Nevitt, Head of Pet Insurance at The Co-operative Insurance says; "It's fantastic news that dog adoption rates increased last month and we hope it continues to do so. However, summer is an ideal time to get a dog due to school holidays but this can lead to an increase in abandonment in autumn once the family routine of school runs and work continues.
We are proud to sponsor Dog's Blog who encourage well-matched adoptions, minimising the risk in people abandoning the dog soon after it arrives at its new home. It is a misconception that neglected dogs cannot be insured; we encourage dog lovers looking for a new addition to head to their local animal shelter or charity and give a dog a second chance of life in a loving home."
The research also shows the top names of adopted dogs in Britain, with an understandable mixture of choices. Many are named by staff upon arriving at a dog shelter as very little is known about their identity or past, whereas some arrive with collars, identifying at least their name. Unsurprisingly, Lucky appears in the top 10 for adopted dog names, yet does not make an appearance in the top 100 dogs names in 2013, signifying the journey that dogs often take before being re-homed.
Top 10 Adopted Dog Names - 2013
1 Tessie
2 Joey
3 Elliot
4 Doobie
5 Nellie
6 Amber
7 Daisy
8 Finlay
9 Heidi
10 Lucky
Kim O'Meara, co-founder of DogsBlog.com commented on the success of National Dog Adoption Month, "We're really pleased we were able to make a difference this August, sending the right message out that helps peak an interest and can change people's perceptions about dogs in rescue is exactly what we set out to do."
Kim continued, "That said, the need for that message continues as more and more dogs sadly find themselves in need of a new home. We need to do more to encourage people to adopt a dog but also to consider working through any problems they might be having with their dogs rather than just giving them up, or worse, just abandoning them on the streets."
The Co-operative Insurance is offering customers a 25% discount off pet insurance until October 31st 2013.