Veterinarians fear puppy boom will persist after pandemic
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is launching a national follow-up survey, "Pandemic Puppies: The Next Generation," to determine whether changing factors around the puppy-buying process, influencing canine welfare, were sustained in 2021. The survey data will be used to compare with previous years (2019 and 2020) and determine whether changes in UK puppy purchasing seen during the COVID-19 pandemic have returned to their pre-pandemic benchmark or persisted into 2021.
While many owners likely made well-intentioned purchases, the demand has inevitably increased the risk to the health and well-being of puppies. Veterinarians are concerned the pandemic puppy boom will persist, adding to the pressure on veterinary services in the UK. Therefore, the findings of this survey will be used to help owners improve the future well-being of their dogs, as well as to learn what approach the veterinary and animal welfare sector should take to share educational messages with potential owners to promote canine welfare.
Changes in consumption habits and purchase of puppies
Dr. Rowena Packer, Professor of Companion Animal Behavioral and Welfare Sciences at the RVC, says: "The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the way many of us shop, and online ordering has become something common during confinement. The pandemic also caused changes in the way puppies were bought in the UK due to the many restrictions on travel and social contact during this period. Many of these so-called "pandemic pups" became much-loved companions, helping households cope with the lockdown; however, there is concern that some owners were duped into buying from unscrupulous breeders. We want to know if pandemic-related changes in puppy purchasing persisted into 2021."
The results of the winter 2020 survey, which included more than 7,500 respondents, revealed several changes in shopping habits. Owners were more likely to buy a younger puppy, pay a deposit without seeing their puppy, be first-time owners with children in the household, and pay more than £2,000. Other factors included that owners were more likely to see their pup without its littermates and to pick it up off its breeders' property.
Bad practices that threaten canine welfare
These pandemic-related changes, such as viewing and purchasing puppies online and delivering them directly to owners, may be perceived as "convenient" by some but are in fact, a threat to canine welfare. It is necessary to put on the table the damage that these practices cause to both puppies and breeding dogs and to understand if consumers prefer this online culture and if so, it will be key to know how to change it to protect canine welfare.
The "Pandemic Puppies – The Next Generation" survey is now open, and results are expected to be released this summer.
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