New research by Quotezone.co.uk has revealed that just 10.15% of pet owners rescued or adopted their dogs – with 9 in 10 people choosing to buy their dog instead of rehoming.
Pet insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk normally sees sales in pet insurance spike straight after Christmas, with a 27.8% jump in January 2019 compared to the average for the preceding two months.
This year is harder to predict as lockdown has already produced an influx of people adding pets to their families since March. People who have been working from home now have animals for company during the day and the growing popularity for socially distanced exercise such as walking, jogging and cycling has perhaps highlighted how valuable pets can be.
As the initial lockdown began (March-June 2020), Quotezone.co.uk saw pet insurance traffic spike by a dramatic 60%, and volumes remained high during the remainder of the year even as restrictions were eased in many places.
Many animal charities are highlighting how important it is now more than ever, to think these decisions through thoroughly and if these changes in your lifestyle are only temporary, give pets time to adjust their routines – to help them adapt. It’s also important to research where you get them from, checking it is safe and legal and consider the importance of rescuing those who already need a home.
Greg Wilson, Founder of pet insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk comments: “Almost half of UK households, 44%, are home to pets according to the RSCPA – amounting to more than 12 million pet-owning homes. With this year’s Christmas being much more intimate with just a few family bubbles mixing and for only a few days – it could be ideal timing for more families to add a pet to their households.
“But research suggests a dog can cost its owner as much as £30,000 during the course of its lifetime, so it should come as no surprise that a pet’s veterinary bills have the potential to be quite sizable if the animal suffers an accident or is diagnosed with an illness. Pets don’t have the NHS to fall back on, of course, so a good pet insurance policy really is the best way to protect your furry friend… and safeguard your finances.”
The breed of dog you decide to buy or adopt can have an impact on the cost of insuring your new pet, because some pedigree breeds are more valuable and are therefore more attractive to thieves – posing a higher insurance risk. Also, some pedigrees have a higher risk of congenital medical conditions or genetic disorders, which could potentially result in higher veterinary bills later down the line.
Still, if you do decide to add a canine family member to your household this year there are a few steps you can take to help keep the costs down;
- Ensure they are up to date with vaccinations/booster shots (neutering can help too)
- Think about lifestyle – house dogs are less likely to be stolen or run away
- Consider opting for a lifetime pet insurance policy, because the higher upfront cost could save you more as your dog ages
- Insure multiple animals under the same multi-pet insurance policy
Quotezone.co.uk will be donating £15,000 across three UK charities this winter – one of which will be the RSPCA, who aim to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate suffering of all animals.
Quotezone.co.uk is one of the leading insurance comparison websites in the UK, helping over 3 million users find a more competitive deal on their insurance. Compare specialist quotes for puppy insurance, older dog insurance, kitten insurance or cat insurance.
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