Concerns raised about lockdown pets after South Yorkshire owners abandoned dozens of animals
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A total of 88 animals were reported as abandoned in the county during the last two months of 2020, prompting fears that some of the pets adopted during the first two national lockdowns could be “left out in the cold.”
And as the country enters a third national lockdown that is expected to last until at least mid-February, animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, is asking people to consider whether they will be able to look after an animal in the long-term before taking on such a commitment.
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Hide AdDermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “During the lockdown there have been reports of a rise in people buying or adopting new pets, often for the very first time.
"Whilst it’s great that so many people have become pet owners and have found their pet to be a real source of comfort during these challenging times, we are concerned that some people may have bought a pet on impulse without considering how their lifestyle might change once the pandemic ends.
"On top of that, we are facing real economic uncertainties, and, as in previous recessions, people may simply find themselves unable to afford their pet.
“The last thing we want to see is animals dumped and left out in the cold so we’d urge anyone who is struggling to care for their pets to please reach out to friends, family and charities for support instead.”
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Hide AdA poll by the RSPCA, conducted by YouGov revealed that just over one in ten (11 per cent) pet owners had taken on a pet during lockdown and, of those, nearly one in ten (9 per cent) said that their pet had been more expensive than they had expected. Just over one in 20 (6 per cent) were worried about being able to afford them in the future.
A third of GB adults who own a pet (33 per cent) said they were worried that pets bought during lockdown will be abandoned if people returned to work and 31 per cent said they were concerned that pets will be dumped if people were struggling.
Mr Murphy added: “We would always urge anyone considering getting a pet to thoroughly do their research to make sure they can give them the time, money and care they need for the rest of their lives.