January pressure for dog rescues
The Kennel Club (KC) has released figures showing how many dogs it helps rescue each January, proving that canines are the true victims of the January blues.
According to a questionnaire, completed by 297 KC Breed Rescue Organisations that are dedicated to helping specific breeds, 3,500 dogs will require their help this January alone, out of 21,000 overall this year.
Another recent survey, of 86 KC Breed Rescue Organisations, found that January is the second busiest month of the year for UK dog rescues, sitting only slightly behind December. However, it is reported that only 1.5 per cent of those dogs are unwanted Christmas presents.
Most dogs in need of rehoming in January are victims of relationship breakups. The KC reports that approximately 4,200 dogs are expected to lose their homes due to their owners separating in 2013.
A further 3,500 will need rehoming due to financial difficulties, and 3,300 simply because their new owners did not understand the commitment and challenges owning a dog would bring.
Carolyne Poulton, of Labrador Retriever Rescue, Scotland, said: "On January 3rd each year, I find the number of dogs needing our help starts to increase. I have found that over the holiday period, people either take time to make the decision to divorce or part company or find that because of the holiday period they can't stand being in each other’s company any longer. Breakups unfortunately mean that individuals may have to move in to a rented house where dogs are often not accepted."
The questionnaire further shows that just two per cent of dogs coming into the breed rescues have been victims of neglect or abuse. Rather, it is most likely that they have been given up due to a change of circumstances.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “People purchasing a dog, whilst in an unstable relationship, should ask themselves, ‘what would happen if we broke up?’. If the answer is give up the dog, then please put off getting a dog until you are in a more secure situation.
“Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations are some of the busiest dog charities out there. They are not as well-known as other organisations such as Battersea or Dogs Trust, but they work just as hard, often unpaid, out of the goodness of their heart.
“Breed rescue is a fantastic place to consider when looking for a dog. The expert staff and volunteers will often know the full history of the dogs in their care and provide you with invaluable knowledge on the breed and tips for caring for individual dogs.”
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
