The charity fears impulse pet purchasing to ease lockdown “boredom", a lack of socialisation opportunities for many young dogs, and the cost of living crisis arguably precipitated by the pandemic have all placed "enormous challenges" on pets, their owners, and the animal welfare sector. The charity took reports about 22,503 animal abandonment incidents last year - more than in any year since the beginning of the pandemic; and fears some owners not ready for the long-term commitment of pet ownership may have taken “extreme measures” in recent years. With many of its animal centres full to bursting, the RSPCA is currently funding the care of 1,220 animals in private boarding as they wait for a space in the organisation’s own rescue facilities And the problem has been a constant feature since the pandemic, with the number of animals coming into the care of the RSPCA often outpacing the numbers being rehomed Dr Samantha Gaines, the RSPCA’s Head of Companion Animals, said: "While many pets found amazing new homes during the pandemic, we know not all animals were so lucky.
“The boredom of lockdown, and many people’s drastically, but temporarily, changed lifestyles, including increased loneliness, may have led many towards impulse pet purchases - and we know it was ‘boom time’ for many breeders and pet sellers. “Sadly, as the reality of the less glamorous side of pet ownership emerges - veterinary bills, behavioural challenges, juggling pet-care with a reduction .
