More than three million households have given up a pet within the final yr, in accordance with new figures from the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA).
The affiliation’s annual report finds that whereas 4.7 million households acquired a brand new pet throughout the pandemic, an estimated 3.4 million have given one up since 2021.
Gen Z (these aged between 16 and 24) and millennials (aged between 25 and 34) made up 53 per cent of recent pet homeowners throughout the pandemic, however they have been additionally almost certainly to present them up.
More than one fifth (23 per cent) of individuals in these age teams have been unable to maintain a pet, with 71 per cent of all pets given up for adoption belonging to young individuals.
The most typical pets to be given up are dogs (60 per cent) and cats (45 per cent).
Nicole Paley, deputy CEO of PFMA mentioned the numbers are regarding. “We are keen to investigate why owners are giving up their pets and where they are being relinquished,” Paley mentioned.
“We believe that many pets are being sold on to recuperate funds, in addition to being taken to rehoming centres.
“We are working closely with the Canine and Feline Sector Group plus other animal welfare charities to identify what the pet care sector can do to support owners and prevent this from happening.”
The predominant purpose 16–24-year-olds gave up a pet was a change of their dwelling preparations, with 34 per cent citing this issue.
Just over a fifth (23 per cent) couldn’t preserve their pet resulting from monetary difficulties, whereas 22 per cent cited a change in work preparations.
Some young pet homeowners additionally frightened about behaviour, with 13 per cent relinquishing a pet because of this.
In millennials, working (41 per cent) and dwelling preparations (39 per cent) have been the commonest causes they gave up their pets.
Last month, the National Dog Survey, carried out by Dogs Trust, revealed that 23 per cent of dogs presently owned within the UK have been acquired throughout the pandemic.
Dr Samantha Graines, a pet welfare professional at RSPCA mentioned the relinquishment statistics are “very worrying but not surprising”.
She mentioned the RSPCA has began to see a rise in requests for assist and rehoming, however largely in rabbits.
“Bringing an animal home to join your family is a significant commitment and responsibility and the increase in ownership during the pandemic did cause concerns that some people may not have fully considered whether they would be able to properly care for them for the rest of their life,” Graines mentioned.
The charity is anxious that as individuals return to regular life after the pandemic, coupled with the rising cost of dwelling, it might see the beginning of a “pet welfare crisis”.
“We understand that circumstances can change and, sometimes, this leaves families having to make the heart-breaking decision to give up their pets,” Graines mentioned.
“However, we also know that animals are often signed over to charities, rehomed or even abandoned because people took on a pet without the necessary research or appreciation of the responsibility and commitment.”
The PFMA’s findings, primarily based on a survey of almost 9,000 households throughout the UK, present that pet possession general is on the rise.
As of 2022, there are a file 35 million pets throughout the UK, with 17.4 million households proudly owning no less than one.
The hottest selections are dogs (13 million), adopted by cats (12 million) and indoor birds £1.6 million).
Other widespread selections are hamsters, rabbits, Guinea pigs, pigeons and horses.
