CONCERNS are growing over a rise in animals being handed in to charities or sold online. Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, based in Wetheral, is among those reporting a “significant” increase in recent weeks in people contacting it to rehome their pet. Caroline Yon, head of animal welfare at Oak Tree, explained: “As the country moved into the first lockdown, demand for dogs reached an all-time high with reports of some puppies being sold for more than £2,000. “However, although being furloughed or working from home meant people had plenty of time, this was not necessarily such good news for the pets.
Oak Tree Animalsâ Charity offer support to pet owners after rise in demand
Poppy. Picture: Oak Tree Animals’ Charity
A charity has seen a “significant increase” in the number of animals in need of its care in the last few weeks.
Oak Tree Animalsâ Charity, based at Wetheral Shields near Carlisle, say many charities and animal welfare organisations have begun to report a significant increase in the number of animals being relinquished.
There are several reasons why this seems to be happening, they say, and almost all of them result from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, this is a trend that is also now being seen by Oak Tree Animalsâ Charity in Cumbria who are asking people to think carefully and seek advice before getting a new pet and, if problems arise, to seek help early to prevent any unnecessary animal or owner distress.