According to research released today in advance of next week’s National Unwanted Pet Week, almost half of all pet owners say they did not seek advice before choosing a pet.
Wood Green, The Animals Charity, which launched the awareness campaign for the first time last year, says the naivety around pet ownership is in part responsible for the increasing number of abandoned and unwanted animals finding themselves at a rescue centre.
In its survey of pet owners, Wood Green discovered that as many as 44.1% of people took no advice whatsoever before selecting an animal.
Just one fifth (22%) took the step of contacting a local rescue centre for advice – a step which the charity stresses could so easily be preventing thousands more deserving and loving animals spending months awaiting a ‘forever home’.
According to recent statistics by the Association of Dog and Cat Homes, there are approximately 250,000 unwanted animals in the UK at any one time. Wood Green believes that startling fact is being worsened with each passing month, given that they have seen a 6% rise in stray dogs in the last six months alone.
“Our research shows that people in Britain still identify us as a nation of animal lovers, so it’s depressing to see the stark reality behind the number of dogs, cats and smaller animals which are awaiting a loving home at any one time,” said Sally Stevens, Director of Communications for Wood Green.
“What I would urge anyone interested in pet ownership to do, is to please please do your research first.
“You wouldn’t purchase something like a smart phone without taking advice or seeking recommendation, so it seems incredible to me – and to the thousands of us which work in the animal charity sector – that potential pet owners would rely on blind faith alone and then be left surprised by the way their new animal fits into the home and lifestyle.”
Wood Green urges those looking for a pet to consider such aspects as:
- How much exercise will my new pet need?
- Am I confident I can afford it?
- Can I give this pet enough time and attention?
- How much bigger might it grow?
On the positive side, however, research timed for National Unwanted Pet Week did reveal that owners identified strong benefits from having taken on an animal (in the right circumstances).
Over two thirds of respondents said they gained loyalty and affection from owning a pet, with a further third citing improved health benefits around reduced stress and more exercise intake.
Ms Stevens added: “We are a nation of animal-lovers, so please show some love for those unlucky pets looking for their forever home by supporting Wood Green’s National Unwanted Pet Week.”
National Unwanted Pet Week runs from next Monday May 25 until Sunday May 31. To find our more, visit www.nupw.org