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Views sought on puppy purchasing
"We are interested in whether pandemic-related changes in puppy buying persisted into 2021" - Rowena Packer, RVC.
RVC launches national follow-up survey, Pandemic Puppies – The Next Generation.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is seeking views from owners who bought a puppy during 2021 to see whether pandemic-related changes in puppy buying persisted into 2021.

Data from the survey, entitled Pandemic Puppies – The Next Generation, will be compared to previous years to see if the changes in UK puppy purchasing during COVID-19 have returned to their pre-pandemic levels or whether they remain.

Following the success of the RVC’s initial study in 2020, the survey will investigate the legacy of this period and the future of UK puppy buying culture, particularly as pandemic restrictions continue to lift.

The findings will then be used to better support owners and inform the approach vets and animal welfare experts take when sharing educational messaging.

Dr Rowena Packer, a lecturer in companion animal behaviour and welfare science at the RVC, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the way many of us bought our household goods, with online ordering and delivery a common feature of lockdown life. The pandemic also led to changes in the way the UK bought puppies during 2020, due to the many restrictions to travel and social contact during this period.

“Many of these so-called ‘Pandemic Puppies’ became much-cherished companions, helping households cope with lockdown life; however, there are concerns that some owners were duped into buying from unscrupulous breeders. We are interested in whether pandemic-related changes in puppy buying persisted into 2021, so we can best support owners of puppies bought during this period going forward. We would love to hear from anyone who purchased a puppy during 2021 to share their experiences.”

Findings from the winter 2020 survey revealed several changes in the buying habits of some 7,500 owners. Respondents said they were more likely to buy a younger puppy, pay a deposit without seeing their puppy, be first-time dog owners with children in their household, and pay more than £2,000.

The survey also revealed that owners were more likely to see their puppy without their littermates, and would collect their puppy from outside their breeders’ property or have it delivered.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.