The UK's stray dog problem

A report commissioned by the Dogs Trust , the UK's largest dog welfare charity, shows that 101,586 stray dogs were found in the UK last year, and that 7,743* dogs were destroyed due to a lack of new homes.

Although the number is a slight reduction on the previous year, the significant number is still of real concern.

Clarissa Baldwin Chief Executive of the Dogs Trust says; "100,000 dogs found stray is a shocking number and should be a wake-up call to dog owners.

For a nation of so-called animal lovers, it is unacceptable that we are prepared to treat animals as throwaway commodities, and dog owners must take responsibility for their pets.

At Dogs Trust we are working hard to put an end to all unnecessary destructions, and are working closely with local authorities to achieve this, but unless dog owners think about the commitment needed to look after a dog, dogs will continue to be put to sleep.

The message is clear. Get your dog neutered to prevent unwanted litters. Make sure your dog has a microchip and ID tag to ensure that if he does get lost he can more easily be reunited with you."

About neutering and micro-chipping

Neutering

Neutering is a common procedure that your vet will carry out under general anaesthetic. In the majority of cases, your dog will be ready to come home with you on the same day and will be fully recovered within a few weeks.

Many of the dogs picked up as strays by Local Authorities are un-neutered males. Often, they will pick up on the scent of an in-season bitch, and they will escape to try and find her. Bitches may also be frustrated when in season and will look to find a mate.

Neutering can also have a positive effect on the health and well being of your much-loved pooch. Un-neutered females can suffer from mammary tumors and an infection of the womb, called a Pyometra. Both of these can, at best, be costly to treat, and at worst can be fatal. Un-neutered males are at risk of developing Testicular cancer.

Neutering is also believed to assist with behavioural problems in both dogs and bitches.

Micro-chipping

When a dog is micro-chipped, a chip the size of a grain of rice is implanted beneath the skin. The micro-chip has an unique identification number, which can be read using a scanner.

This is a painless procedure for the dog and is relatively in-expensive and just think; if everyone did it, the problem of stray dogs would be no more. Look out for schemes from your Local Authority, offering cut price, or even free micro-chipping!!

So, the message is clear. It is up to all of us who consider ourselves to be "dog lovers" to spead the word and help to increase awareness about neutering and micro-chipping and the depth of the problem that these could help to improve.

Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity, and cares for over 13,500 dogs every year through a network of 17 Rehoming Centres. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care.

*in some cases a dog may be put to sleep due to injury or ill health.