Dogs Trust has a waiting list of more than 1,000 dogs queuing to be given up by their families having already received 50,000 requests from individual owners desperate to surrender their pets this year alone.
Each of the 1,000 is waiting for a kennel space with the charity, which has a base in Ballymena, with the hope of their pet being surrendered and ultimately rehomed.
And these 1,000 dogs will be at the head of the Dogs Trust queue of unwanted pets in 2023, with no respite from 2022 which proved to be the busiest year in the charity's 131-year history for pet hand-overs both in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
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Today the charity, which has 21 centres in the UK and one in Ireland, announced that they have now received their 50,000th request this year from a dog owner wishing to hand over their pet.
The disturbing number comes at the head of a perfect storm for pets in crisis, with seasonal puppy sales rising again, the cost of living crisis hitting hard and many lock down puppies having outgrown their welcome.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said: “Through our December poll, dog owners told us they were going to struggle this Christmas, and many more are really worried about what 2023 is going to bring.
“We’re doing as much as we can to reach out and help dog owners who have been worst hit by the crisis. We’re expanding our help and support all the time so, if you’re having a hard time looking after your dog, please reach out to us before it’s too late because there are lots of ways that we can help.
“Our utmost priority is to keep as many dogs with their families as we can and stop people having to make that heart-breaking decision to give up their dog.
“It was inevitable in 2022 that we would reach 50,000 calls from owners no longer able to care for their dogs, but it’s still a shock and a stark signifier of the animal welfare crisis the UK now finds itself in.”
Like most dog rescue and rehoming centres, Dogs Trust Ballymena, has stopped the adoption process until early 2023, and they have placed 22 dogs in foster homes this Christmas while they are waiting to be adopted. Another 75 dogs who were given temporary foster places in 2022 managed to make it permanent and now have homes they can call their own.
But for many families, including a dog amongst the members is now a luxury they cannot afford.
The charity has been warning for a long time that the animal welfare sector is facing into a crisis, with more animals being given up than it has space to look after since the cost of living crisis started to bite.
And they believe another 350,000 dogs in the UK may be made homeless as the cost of living continues creating an influx of owners who can no longer afford them. A poll carried out by YouGov on behalf of Dogs Trust revealed that 33% of the UK’s dog owners are worried that, as costs hikes hit in 2023, the crisis will impact on how well they’re able to care for their dog next year.
Owners said their biggest financial worry regarding their dog is vet bills at 46%, followed by the cost of dog food, 18% and 16% listed the cost of pet insurance.
And one knock-on effect means fewer people who might have previously hoped to adopt a dog, have decided against it with 62% of people surveyed saying the rising cost of living was at the heart of their decision.
The charity’s Home From Home scheme launched in 2015 to find foster homes for dogs who need a little extra care away from the noise of life at the rehoming centres and freeing up space in charity’s kennels.
Foster carers, David Taylor, from Portballintrae, has cared for 16 dogs since he and his wife started fostering through the scheme in November 2017. They are currently caring for 10-year-old Jack Russell Terrier/Collie cross Casper, who came into the care of Dogs Trust after his previous owners moved house and could no longer care for him.
David said: “Being a foster carer is so rewarding; seeing the change in the dog as they settle into a home environment and their little personalities shine through is amazing.
“We love lavishing our attention on them and taking them into our home whilst they wait to be adopted. Having a dog with us at Christmas is particularly special and we are looking forward to celebrating the festivities with Casper and spoiling him with a present or two.”
Casper will be made available for rehoming Casper in 2023. Stephanie Scott, Home From Home co-ordinator at Dogs Trust Ballymena, said: “Casper is an affectionate boy once he knows you and very much enjoys company. He likes someone being around most of the time and in his foster home he likes to sleep in the bedroom area. Casper requires a quiet, adult only home where he is the only pet. A secure garden is essential so he can play in his safe space.
“Our foster scheme means some of the dogs who found themselves in our care can continue to enjoy the home comforts which come with being part of a loving family. Our team of volunteer foster carers are amazing and allow us to look after even more dogs as every dog in foster care, frees up a kennel for another dog in need.
“Christmas is often thought of as a time for family, so we are so incredibly thankful to our fantastic foster carers taking in our rescue dogs at this special time of year. They are dedicated to providing our dogs with a safe and loving home environment whilst they await a visit from Santa and their new families.
“For anyone who is a dog lover but can’t commit to having a dog long-term, fostering could be the ideal solution.”
Volunteer foster carers are provided with everything the dog needs including food, bedding and toys, and the charity will cover the cost of any necessary vet bills. They are also supported by the Dogs Trust team for guidance and advice whenever needed.
If you can help or would like to find out more, please contact Dogs Trust Ballymena on 0303 003 000 or email HFHBallymena@dogstrust.org.uk.
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