Hundreds of lockdown puppies abandoned or resold after owners struggle to cope

Hundreds of puppies bought during lockdown are being handed over by pet owners struggling to cope.

They are desperately trying to resell them online or begging rescue centres to take them in.

Scores of owners say they can’t afford to look after the dogs or don’t have the time.

Websites such as Pets4you and Preloved are being bombarded with adverts for puppies aged between six and 12 months.

It comes after lockdown last year led to a huge demand for puppies from adults spending more time at home, causing prices to soar.

As adults worked from home and were furloughed, the cost of some breeds shot up to more than £3,000.

One owner, selling a six-month-old French bulldog in Birmingham for £2,250, said they don’t “really have the time”.

Another in Buckinghamshire said they could “no longer” give their £1,500 six-month-old collie spaniel the “loving and care he requires” due to work commitments.

The Dogs Trust has warned of a double whammy this year of pooches being dumped after Christmas and lockdown.

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The charity received calls from more than 1,800 people during the past three months who wanted to hand over dogs aged under one.

Over December 27 to 28, it took 114 calls.

Figures show the cost of a dachshund nearly doubled in price to £1,800 from March to June, while English Bulldogs rose 30% to more than £2,000.

Dogs Trust boss Owen Sharp said: “We take calls all-year-round from people who, unexpectedly, feel they have no choice but to give up their dog.

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“It can be heart-breaking, even if an owner knows they are doing the right thing.

“We’re predicting our services will be needed more than ever in the coming months due to the fallout of the coronavirus crisis.”

The RSPCA admitted it was concerned about so many dogs being resold and said it was bracing itself for more to be dumped.

The charity said it was “worried that many families who found themselves at home with time on their hands during lockdown would make impulse decisions to take on pets”.

And it feared they would later try to rehome them “after realising how much commitment they are”, or because of financial difficulties or a lack of time.

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