Number of puppies being abandoned has soared by 73% since Covid lockdown, shock ... trends now

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The RSPCA has recorded an ‘alarming’ 73 per cent rise in the number of puppies being abandoned after a spike in demand during lockdown.

Some 3.2million households in the UK bought pets during the Covid lockdown as a way to combat social isolation, treat the family or boost exercise.

But sales declined after restrictions were lifted, leading to a surplus of puppies. Now the animal charity has blamed the sharp rise in the number of puppies being abandoned on this sales slump as callous breeders dump the extra dogs no one wants to buy.

In 2022, the charity said, 711 puppies and breeding female dogs were abandoned, up from 411 in 2021. The pre-Covid figure in 2019 was 275 dumped puppies.