More than a fifth of Brits (22%) would be keen to try some sort of part-time ownership arrangement – when it comes to dogs, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 Brits found that 45% of those, who do not already have a dog, wish they could have one – but four in ten say they have been unable to take on a four-legged friend amid the cost-of-living crisis.
In fact, fewer than one in 20 dog-lovers (4%), who would like a pet pooch, feel they could commit to full-time care – with the costs of veterinary care (37%) and pet-sitting (32%) named as the biggest expense concerns.
And 16% work in an office full-time – leaving little time for pet care during working hours.
Thankfully, Guide Dogs are on-hand to provide the perfect compromise – with the opportunity for dog-lovers to foster young guide dogs in training.
The charity, which commissioned the research, has launched an appeal to find volunteers to provide a home for their trainee dogs during evenings and weekends – with all expenses covered, including vet costs, food, and training.
Tracey Berridge, head of volunteering at Guide Dogs, said: “With the projected increase of people who are visually impaired in the UK to rise to over four million by 2050, it’s crucial that more guide dogs are trained to offer essential assistance and independence for people with sight loss.
“Our fostering programme offers all the joys of dog ownership, but with a schedule that fits around your existing commitments.
“Becoming a fosterer is a wonderful opportunity for people who love dogs, and want to make a difference to the lives of people with sight loss.
“By opening their homes and hearts to our dogs, Fosterers play a crucial role in our mission to train more guide dogs.
“We have lots more dogs entering their formal training, and we can only create our life-changing partnerships with the support of our amazing network of volunteers.”
Half of respondents (51%) feel it’s not financially feasible to take on the responsibilities and expenses associated with dog ownership right now.
But 28% would opt to borrow a friend or family member's dog – while the use of dog-sharing apps is also currently on the rise.
Some of the main reasons for seeking part-time dog responsibility include wanting to be more active (28%), reducing stress and anxiety (28%), finding companionship (27%), and building confidence (25%).
And borrowing is the new owning, in general, as three-quarters (74%) of Brits are willing to rent or borrow assets – from homes, cars, clothes, tools, and even dogs.
More than one in six (17%) admit that their renting habits have increased by 31% on average in the last two years.
However, two-thirds (68%) of Brits polled, via OnePoll, haven’t heard of fostering a dog from Guide Dogs – but a third (34%) said they would be interested in signing up.
In fact, some of the main reasons for wanting to volunteer include helping to make a difference in someone’s life (50%), supporting people with sight loss and aiding those who want to own a dog (49%), and assisting Guide Dogs' mission (46%).
Prisca Mascarenhas, an experienced fosterer, has been actively fostering guide dogs in training for the past five years, providing care for six dogs during that time.
She said: “My husband and I decided to become fosterers because it offers us the best of both worlds.
“We have the privilege of caring for these incredible dogs during evenings and weekends, which fits perfectly around our work and family life.
“The best part is, there are no financial expenses involved, and we are constantly learning and working in partnership with the trainers.
“As someone who had never owned a dog before, this role has given us confidence and companionship, and we love being able to help a visually impaired person with their independence and their freedom.”
Fosterers are required to “do the school run” for dogs in training, by dropping them off and collecting them from their local Guide Dogs training centre, as well as helping dogs keep up with their training at home.
To find out more about becoming a fosterer, visit here.
