'Huge spike' in people looking to give up dogs as Covid restrictions ease

Dogs Trust has launched its 'After Lockdown – Bark to Basics' campaign, offering tips to help pets cope with being home alone for longer periods of time. Picture: Fran Veale

Dog's Trust Ireland has said there has been a "huge spike" in the number of people looking to give up their dogs as Ireland moves out of lockdown.

The charity said it was receiving about eight surrender requests every day, and the most common reason being cited is owners struggling with a dog's behavioural issues.

In July 2021, the charity said it had it received 515 requests in the previous three months from people looking to surrender their dog, a 212% increase on the same period in 2020.

Ciara Byrne, head of communications at Dogs Trust Ireland, said the numbers were "quite astonishing".

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Ms Byrne said: "Unfortunately, we’re seeing a huge spike at the moment, especially since we’ve been emerging from lockdown.

"We’ve had the same number of requests so far this year as we had for the entirety of 2020."

Ms Byrne said the changing behaviour of dogs could be attributed to people's lives going back to normal, with many returning to work and schools after the series of Covid-19 lockdowns.

“Dogs are receptive to anything, so they do notice when things change. Some of them really do struggle," she added.

Ms Byrne said the main goal was to keep dogs in their homes, and there are lots of things people can do to help their dogs.

“There are lots of things people can do, even just being aware or noticing that their dog may be following them around the house more, or becoming more attentive to their owners... or even things a little bit more frustrating like toileting in the house or destructive behaviour."

The charity said it was receiving about eight surrender requests every day, and the most common reason being cited is people struggling with a dog's behavioural issues. Picture: Fran Veale

She concluded: "Dogs do give you signs – so it’s looking out for the signs and knowing how to cope with them.” 

To combat the growing number of calls, Dogs Trust has launched its  After Lockdown – Bark to Basics campaign, offering tips to help pets cope with being home alone for longer periods of time.

Becky Bristow, executive director of Dogs Trust Ireland, said the charity was worried by the number of calls it is receiving from people looking to get rid of their dogs.

She is encouraging dog owners to sign up for its 'Bark to Basics' campaign and start acclimatising their dogs to spending more time on their own.

"Our aim for this campaign is to help keep as many dogs happy in their existing homes as possible," she said.

"We are appealing to owners to be patient with their dogs and remember, dogs don’t chew your belongings out of spite, it’s usually caused by stress or boredom at suddenly finding themselves alone, with nothing to do.”