Pets’ welfare at risk as one-in-four pet owners do no pre-purchase research

17 November 2016

PDSA is warning that the health and welfare of millions of pets is at risk as owners continue to buy pets on impulse, often with no research or knowledge of their welfare needs prior to purchase.

The warning comes as findings from our sixth annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, created in conjunction with YouGov, are released. The PAW Report, which identifies key issues impacting on the welfare of UK pets, has surveyed over 58,000 veterinary professionals, pet owners and young people since its launch in 2011.

The 2016 Report has revealed that 5.2 million (around one-in-four or 24%) UK pet owners –undertake no research at all before acquiring a pet. In fact, only 5% of owners (1.1 million) spoke with a veterinary professional ahead of taking on their pet. Lack of awareness of the five welfare needs amongst 65% of pet owners is further cause for concern with many owners unaware of how to provide what their pets need to lead healthy and happy lives.

Commenting on the PAW Report findings, Sean Wensley, PDSA senior vet, said: “There is little doubt that we’re a nation of animal-lovers. But the PAW Report highlights that impulse-buying pets is still an issue of great concern, and shows no signs of improving. Little or no research before getting a pet means owners have limited understanding of what their pets require throughout their lives, which is undoubtedly leading to an array of other troubling pet welfare problems.”

The PAW Report also revealed that 22% of owners (4.8 million) said their pets were harder work than expected. Many drastically underestimate the financial implications of owning a pet with 12% (2.6 million) of owners believing their pet would only cost up to £500 over their entire lifetime. Limited awareness of the costs involved in pet ownership, in particular understanding the real cost of owning a dog, is listed as the top concern for the veterinary profession. Overall an alarming 98% of owners underestimated the lifetime cost of owning their pet.

Buying pets from inappropriate sources is another major concern, and 23% of veterinary professionals identified this as one of most critical issues which they would choose to resolve tomorrow.

The Report also found that 50% of owners (11 million) would consider getting a pet from a private, classified online advert. Around 3.9 million (18%) owners would still consider getting a puppy from a puppy farm, while others would consider getting a pet from an advert posted on social media (37%), from a pet supermarket (41%), or a pet that has been imported from abroad (28%). 96% of vet professionals believe that there should be regulation of the online advertising and sale of pets.

Sean adds: “With so many pets available from disreputable sources, it can be difficult for owners to know whether their pets have received the preventive care and routine health checks required to ensure they are healthy.

“In addition, inappropriate environments often mean pets aren’t socialised properly from an early age, leading to problem behaviours which owners can find difficult to handle and which, in cases such as aggression, can threaten public safety.”

You can read the full PAW report here.

Which Pet is Right For Me?

In response to concerns around lack of pre-purchase research by owners, we have launched a free ‘Which Pet?’ consultation framework for veterinary teams. The aim is to help veterinary professionals engage and educate clients before they take on a new pet, in hope that prospective pet owners can be sure their chosen pet is suitable for them, and obtained from an appropriate source.

Our ‘Which Pet?’ framework will be launched at the London Vet Show. The materials include client and explanatory vet team booklets, marketing materials and an e-learning CPD module. These can all be accessed free of charge on our website.

For prospective owners, the Get PetWise online quiz provides a wealth of information to help them match their circumstances with the most suitable pet for their lifestyle.

Other key findings:

• 92% of dogs have now been microchipped, an increase from 70% in 2011.
• 66% of dog owners, 63% of cat owners and 43% of rabbit owners reported that their pet showed at least one behaviour they’d like to change.
• Vets fear a complete lack of care for rabbits, as 45% of the profession select this as one of the key issues regarding rabbits. Rabbits are spending an average of 12 hours per day in their hutch. 52% of these popular pets still live alone – equating to around 780,000 lonely rabbits in the UK, despite needing the company of another compatible rabbit.
• Cats continue to be at risk of chronic stress as 21% – around 2.3 million – are living in households with other cats they don’t get along with.
• 51% of vet professionals report that they’ve seen an increase in pets who have been bitten by a dog over the last two years, and 58% report an increase in dog behavioural problems.