Stray Dogs statistics

NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE by Dogs Trust, Wednesday 3^rd September 2008

EIGHTEEN STRAY DOGS PUT TO SLEEP EVERY DAY¹

Rehome a rescue dog before purchasing a ‘retail Rover’, urges Dogs Trust

Today Dogs Trust annual Stray Dogs Report revealed that an estimated 96,892 stray dogs were taken in by local councils in the UK last year; 6,710 of which were put to sleep for want of a home¹

Dogs Trust is urging those looking for a new dog to visit their local rescue centre before splashing the cash on a retail Rover.

Despite the sustained efforts of both animal welfare organisations and local authorities, on average 11 stray and unwanted dogs an hour are handled by local authorities. Each hour:

• 5 are reunited with their owners

• 3 are taken to welfare organisations

• 1 is rehomed by local authorities

• And every 80 minutes a dog is put to sleep¹

The report conducted by GfK NOP on behalf of Dogs Trust shows a reduction from the previous year but as the charity’s Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, explains, there is still much work to do:

“This is the first year that the number of stray dogs in the UK has dropped below 100,000. But this is still far too high a figure – it’s 6,000 more than the number of seats at Wembley! For a nation of so-called animal lovers it is unacceptable that pets are being treated as throwaway commodities. Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right.

Dogs Trust is working closely with local authorities and runs extensive education, neutering and microchipping campaigns to help them to tackle the issue. As a result the number of stray dogs has dropped gradually in the past ten years.

However the onus remains on owners to accept their responsibility. Get your dog neutered and microchipped and ensure he is wearing an ID tag so that if he is lost he can be reunited with you more easily.”

The charity believes the most effective and humane way of reducing stray dog numbers in the long-term is best achieved through education, neutering and microchipping. Last year microchips helped reunite 30% of strays with their owners.

Dogs Trust invests approximately £5m each year in neutering, microchipping and education programmes in the worst affected areas of the UK - Northern Ireland, North West, North East and Wales. Since the campaigns began in 1999, over 270,000 dogs have been neutered and 228,000 have been microchipped through Dogs Trust.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for 16,000 dogs a year through its network of 17 rehoming centres. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care.

All figures are estimates based on an assumption that responding authorities are representative of authorities as a whole. Results relate to the period 31^st March 2007 to 1^st April 2008. The 2008 survey was produced by GfK NOP who mailed questionnaires to all 432 local authorities in the UK, with a response rate of 80%. Results are weighted to represent the 432 authorities.

Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.

² Northern Ireland figures unfortunately cannot be compared to last year’s results due to an inconsistent submission of data from a number of responding councils in 06/07. For more information about this please contact Krystyna McGrath on: 020 7833 7616/ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Happy Ending case study

Buster:

Beautiful Buster is a young Boxer who was brought into Dogs Trust Kenilworth as a stray in February 2006. Eventually in June this year Dogs Trust found the perfect home for him with Karen Hine and nobody has looked back since!

Karen told us:

“Buster is just a joy to live with. He is playful, affectionate and makes such a wonderful companion. I can’t imagine life without him now!”

Rehoming Appeal case study

Blue:

Blue, a fabulous Collie aged around 8 years, has been in kennels since he came to Dogs Trust Kenilworth as a stray in April 2007. Blue is a wonderfully affectionate and responsive dog with bags of energy who would love to find himself a new home very soon. He would suit a family, with no other pets, who have knowledge of the breed.

ENDS

Notes to editors

¹In some cases dogs may have been put to sleep due to aggression or ill health

Dogs Trust has a non destruction policy, we never destroy a healthy dog.

Please contact the Dogs Trust Press Office for full survey results, images, filming requests, case studies, details of the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres across the UK and general information on dogs.

Krystyna McGrath Sinead Scott-Lennon

Dogs Trust Press Office Dogs Trust Press Office

0207 833 7616 020 7833 7650

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

07768 616 280 07768 616 280

Sally Wright

Dogs Trust Press Office

020 7833 7608

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

07768 616 280

National Spokespeople include:

Clarissa Baldwin, OBE

Dogs Trust Chief Executive

Chris Laurence, MBE QVRM TD BVSc MRCVS

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director

Elvira Meucci-Lyons

Dogs Trust Head of Campaigns

West London Rehoming Centre Spokespeople include:

Richard Moore Dogs Trust Harefield Rehoming Centre Manager