Legendary broadcaster and canine expert, Peter Purves has issued a plea to would-be dog owners across the nation to consider adopting a dog.
In advance of National Puppy Day, which takes place on Tuesday 23rd March, the YuMOVE ambassador is championing the benefits of adopting a dog after recently rescuing Vivienne, a senior Pekingese dog.
The pandemic has seen dog ownership across the UK skyrocket. According to the RSPCA, this rising demand has seen puppy importation increase by 52% year on year, with illicit breeders exploiting people’s desire to own a dog, resulting in poorer animal welfare.
Canine theft is widely reported to have increased by an astronomical 250% in Britain in 2020 and illegal puppy farming is an ongoing problem within the UK.
Peter Purves said: “Rehoming a dog is one of the most rewarding things that any animal lover can do, and in the current climate, it is especially important. Not only will you be providing a dog with a loving home, you’ll also support animal rescue centres that are currently struggling to look after the dogs in their care because their revenue streams have been decimated by the pandemic.
“If you’re thinking about adopting, don’t do it blindly. You might think that you’re doing something wonderful, but in fact without the preparation, you will be doing the opposite. Make sure there is a match between what the dog needs and what you can give it.”
Below Peter shares some thoughts and considerations for anyone thinking about adopting a dog:
Get to know the dog before you bring it home
There are a myriad of reasons why dogs find themselves in rescue centres. All dogs are unique and not every dog that is taken in by a rescue centre will have been mistreated, but you should understand the dog’s life story, history and behaviour. Animal rescue centres will be able to provide you with this information.
Understand the needs of the breed
Understand what type of dog you are adopting. Visit the Kennel Club website to see how they group breeds of dogs and find out more about what the dog needs before making a decision. If you don’t like how a Terrier behaves don’t get one. If you can’t provide a Border Collie with 6 miles of exercise a day, then think about an alternative. Find a dog that will match your lifestyle.
It’s not a beauty contest
Don’t base your decision on looks. As dog owners, we all think that our dogs are the most handsome and prettiest. You will fall in love with the dog anyway.
Don’t get frustrated
If you’re adopting a dog that is previously owned, it will have developed partially. It may well be trained, it may not. It is likely that the dog will not respond to all of your commands at first. These behaviours can be eradicated by spending quality time with your dog and training it.
