UK Faces Record High in Pet Rehoming as Cost of Living and Pandemic Aftermath Take Toll
The number of pets being surrendered for rehoming has reached “record highs,” according to the Dogs Trust, with rising financial pressures and lingering effects of the pandemic driving more owners to give up their dogs.
Across its two centres in Greater Manchester and Merseyside, the animal welfare charity has taken in 200 dogs in need of care. The Denton branch has reported its highest-ever surrender rates, receiving 52,000 inquiries from struggling owners in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and another 43,000 last year.
‘A Perfect Storm’
Emma Wakefield, head of operations at the Dogs Trust North, said a combination of factors had led to this surge.
“The pandemic and the cost of living crisis created a perfect storm,” Wakefield explained. “Some people probably made quite quick decisions about getting a dog and then ended up in a situation that they weren’t anticipating.”
During the pandemic, the UK saw a boom in dog ownership, with the canine population now estimated at 13.5 million. Many of those dogs—now around four and a half years old—are reaching adulthood, a stage when behavioural issues often become more pronounced.
Wakefield emphasized the importance of research before adopting a pet, particularly when choosing a breed.
“There are lots of people whose breeding practices aren’t fantastic, and they are breeding more for profit as opposed to the behaviour you really want in a family pet,” she said.
Unwanted Behaviours Leading to Rehoming
One of the main reasons for rehoming is behavioural issues, with 25% of owners citing this as the reason they were giving up their pets.
Charlotte Moyes, assistant behaviour manager at the Dogs Trust in Manchester, warned that delaying training can make these issues harder to correct.
“The key is not to leave it too late—get help at the earliest point rather than waiting two or three years down the line,” Moyes advised.
Many pandemic-era dogs missed crucial socialisation and training opportunities due to lockdown restrictions. Now, as they enter adolescence, these problem behaviours—such as separation anxiety, excessive barking, and pulling on the lead—are becoming more difficult for some owners to manage.
“We now have a group of dogs whose problem behaviours are really starting to come to a head,” Wakefield noted.
Support for Struggling Owners
Despite the rise in surrenders, the Dogs Trust is working to help owners keep their pets whenever possible. In addition to caring for 11,000 dogs across 23 UK sites, the charity is expanding its support services, offering training classes, a behavioural advice line, and community programs to assist struggling pet owners.
By providing education and resources, the organisation hopes to reduce the number of pets being surrendered and help families and their dogs stay together.