Animal charities are warning against the purchase of puppies after families who bought dogs during the 2020 lockdowns are already trying to sell and rehome them.
The Kennel Club conducted a survey last year which showed a dramatic increase in puppy ownership during the pandemic.
Two-thirds of those surveyed described their new puppies as a "lifeline" during the lockdown and 40% admitted to purchasing a dog because they wanted a companion.
This rescue puppy smiles for the camera in an effort to be adopted:However, with the situation surrounding the ongoing pandemic changing by the day, many people are sadly beginning to rethink their decisions to get a puppy.
The Times reports that many people are turning to animal charities to get rehome the puppies they impulse bought during the lockdown.
The Dogs Trust revealed that in the last three months, they have received over 1,800 calls from people looking to rehome puppies who are less than a year old, the Daily Mail reports.
Adam Clowes, operations director for the charity, said that new dog owners need to be fully aware that when they purchase a puppy, they are making a ten to 15-year commitment.
"All that initial lockdown excitement - 'We are never going to have to go into the office again, let's get a dog!' - we are now seeing the consequence of that," he said.
Pets4you and Preloved are also featuring adverts from people attempting to sell on their puppies after when circumstances changed after lockdown.
As per The Times, the owner of a six-month-old collie-spaniel cross, priced at £1,500, wrote in an ad: "Unfortunately, due to work commitments now we are no longer able to give him the loving and care he requires and deserves."
Meanwhile, another dog owner is attempting to rehome a 20-week-old Beagle puppy due to work commitments, writing: "My beagle pup is now 20 weeks old. She is up to date with jabs etc and have paper work to show. She is also microchipped. I bought this pup for myself and now find myself with different hours at work due to COVID."
In an interview with The Times, RSPCA said that these attempts to rehome hundreds of puppies is the result of "impulse decisions" made during the lockdown.
A spokesperson said:
"We were worried that many families who found themselves at home with time on their hands during lockdown would make impulse decisions to take on pets and now, just a few months on, would be seeking to rehome their new dogs after realizing how much commitment they are, having run into financial difficulties due to the pandemic, or because they've returned to work and no longer have time for them."
The Kennel Club conducted research that found that new puppy owners did less than two hours' research before purchasing a dog, "leaving them particularly vulnerable to scams and unable to spot the signs of an unscrupulous breeder."