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Searches for pet-friendly homes surge since lockdown

Dog breeders at the Kennel Club said they have seen a 180 per cent rise in the number of people inquiring about getting a dog - JOHN SIBLEY /REUTERS 
Dog breeders at the Kennel Club said they have seen a 180 per cent rise in the number of people inquiring about getting a dog - JOHN SIBLEY /REUTERS
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter ..

Searches for pet-friendly homes have surged since lockdown following a boom in families getting cats and dogs.

The number of people searching for homes to rent which are suitable for cats and dogs have risen by up to 140 per cent since March.

Manchester saw the highest increase, with properties in London rising by 109 per cent according to the renting app Movebubble.

Searches for homes with a garden for animals to enjoy also rose by almost 200 per cent since lockdown began.

Aidan Rushby, CEO of Movebubble, said: "As pet owners ourselves, we know how it can be more challenging to find a home that accepts pets. The good news is things are changing.

"Earlier in the year, housing secretary Robert Jenrick called on landlords to make it easier for tenants renting a property with pets, so homeowners are being actively encouraged to consider responsible tenants with furry friends.

"Compared to this time last year, we have 38 per cent more applicable homes available.”

700,000 renters have been looking for new properties between the first day of lockdown and 4 May, up by over two thirds since June last year, the company said.

This follows news that more families are looking to home a pet since the pandemic started.

Dog breeders at the Kennel Club said they have seen a 180 per cent rise in the number of people inquiring about getting a dog, with almost half of homes in the UK having a pet living in them.

However, despite the desire to keep children entertained while the UK works from home, there are warnings that pets may suffer once their owners return to the office.

Professional dog trainer, Leon Towers, told the Telegraph: “I think any uptake in families adopting dogs from rehoming centres has to be a positive one. However, we should be concerned about the lack of understanding new owners may have with regards to issues around mental-health in these dogs, during and post lockdown.

"Once lockdown is over and people go back to work their dogs will struggle. At the moment, it’s lovely that owners are home all day, and I’m sure a lot of dogs are being very well behaved right now, but when owners go back to work and children return to school, it will affect the dog.

"Many of these re-homed dogs who may have already suffered major abandonment issues and attachment disorders, will more than likely suffer such mental-health problems all at once and their behaviour will reflect this.”

Have you adopted a cat or a dog during the lockdown? Have you struggled to find a pet-friendly property? Let us know in the comments section below.