ISPCA: ‘Unprecedented’ number of dogs being abandoned this year

It’s no secret that animal welfare charities have been inundated with calls since the end of the pandemic. Since the beginning of 2022, Dogs Trust received over 500 requests to surrender a dog – an 83% increase averaging seven (yes, SEVEN) calls a day. 

Initially, the onset of a global pandemic and strict lockdown restrictions spelt good news for the dogs in their care and the charity reported a 134% increase in the number of adoption requests in 2020. According to the Dogs Trust annual report, over 1,100 dogs were adopted, 411 dogs were fostered and 317 mums and puppies were saved. 

With so many working from home and no chance to meet up or socialise with others, adopting a pet seemed like a good way to pass the time and 2020 was very much Year of the Dog. However, as normality crept back in and people began returning to the office, having a pet was no longer feasible for many and the problem has only gotten worse with the ISPCA recently noting that the number of dogs being surrendered/abandoned at shelters has reached “unprecedented” levels.

“Between January and the end of August this year, 724 dogs were rescued by the ISCPA. This compares to 680 for the full year in 2022, showing a worrying trend towards pet abandonment,” a spokesperson for the national animal welfare charity confirmed, citing a recent survey commissioned by Mars Petcare and the ISPCA and carried out by Amárach. 

The research found that 8% of those who have or had a dog in the past five years had previously given a dog up for adoption, with a further 8% having considered it. Behavioural issues were the main reason cited by those who had given their dog up for adoption (41%), followed by a change in housing situation (28%), and the inability to properly care for the dog (23%).

The good news is there is growing interest in adopting. As it stands, almost half of Irish adults (49%) own dogs, with ownership levels at their highest in Connaught and Ulster (56%), and lowest in Dublin (39%). Of these, 30% of current dog owners have adopted their dog, 37% bought straight from a breeder, and 33% got their dog through family and friends. Of those who do not own dogs, 60% have considered getting one, with 42% considering adoption.

Worries about behavioural and health issues (27% and 22%) and a lack of training (26%) prove to be the main concerns, with a lack of pet-friendly housing a concern for 18% of respondents. 

Speaking on the adoption trends, Dr Cyril Sullivan, CEO of the ISPCA said:

“This new research shows that cost, behavioural concerns and a lack of facilities and dog-friendly housing are the biggest factors impacting pet adoption at present. It also identifies the fact that if shelters could guarantee that behaviour (27%) and health (22%) were not an issue, and provide training to pets (26%), people would be more inclined to adopt. To do this, we need the funding.”

Asking people to consider donating to the charity as a gesture on World Animal Day, Dr Sullivan said that there are currently over 200 dogs in ISPCA care – all in desperate need of a home. “While it’s encouraging to see that almost one-third of dog owners have adopted their pet, this number needs to grow significantly if we are to tackle the growing number of dogs that are currently in shelters across the country… we want to do everything we possibly can to enable their adoptions”, he added.

For Louise Robinson of Mars Petcare, the solution is simple; “We need more dog-friendly cities and towns – that means pet-friendly housing, pet-friendly businesses, and ample recreational space for dogs and their owners.”

Feature image via @mileycyrus