Pet population remains steady, PDSA report finds

The estimated population of dogs, cats and rabbits remain similar to pre-pandemic levels, however 24% of all owners acquired their pet in the last two years, according to the latest report from PDSA.

This equates to 5.4 million pets acquired since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. 2022 findings show more than a third (36%) of all owners are new, with no prior experience of owning that species of a pet as an adult.

First-time owners were more likely to purchase from a private seller or breeder than an experienced owner. However, the number of animals acquired from UK rehoming centres has dropped, with the proportion of cats acquired from this source decreasing from 35% in 2020 to 27% in 2022.

PDSA director of veterinary services, Richard Hooker, said: “There have been serious impacts on human wellbeing over the past two years, initially through the Covid-19 pandemic and now due to the cost of living crisis and other worldwide events.

“It is absolutely vital that during these challenging times, we continue to monitor and report on pet welfare, to ensure that we don’t lose any progress we have made, to identify and track emerging concerns. Which in turn will allow us to ensure PDSA’s charitable funds are used in the most effective way possible to help people in need and target the most pressing issues facing vulnerable pets in the UK.”