Perfect-Pets Books explores the growing demand vets are facing for their services as pet ownership thrives during the pandemic. The share of households owning a pet in the United Kingdom has remained relatively stable between 2012-2019. However, pet ownership levels have peaked to an unprecedented high of 59 percent in 2020/21, due to the coronavirus pandemic and increased time spent at home.
New research by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association reveals that a staggering 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the covid-19 pandemic.
In its latest Pet Population Data survey, the PFMA said the big increase was driven by younger families, with two-thirds of new owners aged between 16-34.
Although 74% claimed their pet had helped their mental health through the pandemic, the study raised pet welfare concerns.
Figures obtained from Vets Now, the UK’s leading provider of emergency care for dogs, cats, and small animals, show that up to 45% of registered pet owners haven’t received their initial vaccination course or subsequent boosters.
This of course can have a devastating impact on vet practices who then become overrun with health issues among cats, dogs, and other pets. Before the pandemic vets were already experiencing a shortage of staff and were having difficulty keeping up with demand, but with Brexit and now Covid many vets are feeling the pressure.
Emma Billington, the founder of Dogs4Rescue said: “the situation has become ‘pretty dire’.
