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Kennel manager John told Irish news outlets “there’s already been more surrenders this year than in all of 2020”.
This week, the charity said it is receiving eight requests every day from people who wish to surrender their dogs as lockdown restrictions ease.
Dogs Trust Ireland Head of Communications Ciara Byrne told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, they wanted to keep dogs in their current homes and that they could help if owners were struggling. “Our number one priority is to keep dogs in their homes,” she said, adding that anyone thinking of surrendering their pet should “contact us and we will be able to help”.
The charity has said so far, they have received the same number of requests this year as in the whole of 2020.
“It could have been a dog that they have had before Covid [or not] who has adjusted to owners being around 24/7,” she added, explaining that dogs may struggle to adjust as their owners move away from being home as often as restrictions continue to ease. For some dogs, the change in routine can be extremely stressful.
Dogs Trust is seeking to help owners having difficulties with an interactive ‘Life after Lockdown‘ pack for dog owners, which includes tips on how to ease dogs out of lockdown and how to teach them to be on their own and to meet people calmly.
“Please try to stick to normal daily routines as much as possible. Feed them at the same time each day. Have set times for training or play when you might previously have gone out for walks,” they advise on their website.
“Factor in time apart from your dog each day so they are not with you all the time. Try and leave them in the house alone when going for essential trips as well. This will help them cope better when everyone goes back to work or school.”
For more help, see dogstrust.ie