Demand for pets has almost halved since last year as the peak seen at the height of the pandemic levels out, new figures suggest.
Demand – measured by buyers per pet – fell by 42% in January to April compared with the same period last year, according to a report by Pets4Homes, the UK’s largest on-line pet market.
The variety of would-be consumers per puppy or canine marketed on Pets4Homes in April 2022 was 168, down from greater than 300 at the start of the pandemic.
The drop in demand has seen the typical value for puppies falling to £1,329 in March 2022 from £2,237 in March 2021, whereas the worth of cats has declined by 20%.
The common variety of litters per vendor has returned to regular ranges seen pre-pandemic, with licensed breeders on common having two litters per 12 months, breeders having 1.4 litters per 12 months, and pastime breeders having 1.2 litters per 12 months, the examine discovered.
Dogs stay the most well-liked pet, attracting 63% of all consumers. The Golden Retriever has develop into essentially the most sought-after canine, with 717 potential consumers for every marketed puppy.
The Devon Rex has overtaken the Siberian as essentially the most sought-after cat, with 416 consumers per marketed kitten.
Lee Gibson, UK managing director at Pets4Homes, said: “For years, the UK has suffered from a chronic undersupply of puppies and kittens that has failed to meet the demand for pets, in particular during the height of the pandemic.
“Inevitably, this discrepancy has enticed unscrupulous sellers and those involved in the low welfare and illegal puppy trade to profit from people’s want for a furry companion.
“We are glad that we’re lastly seeing these developments reverse with an increase in breeding by UK pastime breeders whereas demand is normalising.”
Mr Gibson mentioned fears that the surge in pet possession throughout Covid-19 would result in folks gifting away their “pandemic puppies” had not been realised, with information exhibiting that the surge of ads on Pets4Homes could possibly be traced to new litters slightly than reselling.
