DogCast Radio
Home Episodes Articles Blog Breed profiles Book reviews Photos Contact

Excessive baggage? Battersea sees huge increase in abandoned dogs as owners jet off on holiday

People tend to think Christmas is the busiest time for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, however Battersea has seen a 204 per cent increase this year in the number of intake calls during the first week of the school summer holidays compared with a normal week in May.

With the school summer holidays in full swing and UK airports experiencing their busiest time of the year, the world famous rescue centre has seen a surge in the number of abandoned pets as owners head to sunnier climes.

Battersea’s dog and cat intake line received 328 calls during the first week of the summer holidays, and 388 in the second week compared with just 108 during a week in May – showing a surge as schools close, and suitcases are packed.

The charity believes there is a link between the rise in calls and people going on holiday and not having anyone to look after their dog or being able to afford boarding kennels.

One-year-old German Spitz Hayes was brought to Battersea by his owners who were going on holiday and had no one to take care of him. They said they had already sacrificed a holiday the previous year and didn’t want to do the same again.

Woody Woodford-Price, Battersea’s Intake Coordinator, said: “Every year around this time I anticipate a rise in the number of calls from people wanting Battersea to take in their pet.

“It’s holiday season and people don’t always take pets into account when they’re booking to go away. So it’s rescue centres, like Battersea, who end up taking their pets in and finding new homes for them.
“We’ve had people confuse us with boarding kennels, asking if we can take their pet for a fortnight while they go away and others that blatantly bring in a ‘stray’ dog and send someone else to claim it back a week later.

“Dogs brought in under such false pretences are potentially taking the space that another genuinely needy dog might otherwise have occupied.”

Battersea urges prospective dog and cat owners to think about the responsibility and commitment pets bring with them. Pets aren’t disposable, so if you are planning a holiday make sure to plan for your pet too, with either boarding kennels or a pet sitter.

Sharing

279 - mushrooms for dogs and using parenting principles with pets

In this podcast, Dr Rob Silver reveals how mushroom's can be good for our dogs - and us. Wendy Lyons Sunshine explains how implementing parenting methods with our dogs can improve our relationship with them.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.