Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with animal welfare charities on the effect of lifestyle changes in response to the covid-19 outbreak on trends in the level of unwanted pets.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Defra’s animal welfare team has been in regular contact with the sector to understand the impacts and what is needed from government. I am grateful for the work done by animal welfare charities to promote advice for pet owners and look after animals during this difficult time.

The Association of Dogs & Cats Homes and the National Equine Welfare Council undertook surveys in May 2020 of their members and wider rescue and rehoming organisations to establish the extent of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector. The surveys were carried out when many restrictions were still in place, many of which have now been lifted. In relation to unwanted pets, findings showed that:

• 30% of equine organisations reported that more horses were being abandoned compared to 5% reporting less.
• 15% of rescues reported that more cats are being abandoned. Only 15% of rescue organisations reported an increase in dogs being abandoned with 22% reporting fewer dogs being abandoned than normal. 20% of members reported taking in less strays. Only 22% reported that more people wish to hand over their dogs.
• 68% of rescues reported more people wish to foster equines, dogs or cats and 58% wish to rehome an equine, dog or cat.

We shall continue to engage with the sector to keep monitoring trends in the level of unwanted pets.