Spaniel Aid UK have seen a large rise of spaniels needing new homes (Picture: Spaniel Aid UK)
On 8 March 2021, England began a phased exit from lockdown.
But more than two years on, the effects of the Covid pandemic are still being felt for humans and animals alike.
Lockdown was the perfect time for many people to get a four-legged-friend to keep them company.
But as restrictions eased, some realised their situation no longer suited a dog.
Spaniel Aid UK say they have seen a ‘threefold’ increase in people looking to rehome dogs.
The cost of living crisis also means people are now struggling to afford basic care for their dogs.
Just this week, volunteers were mobilised after 13 stray spaniel puppies were discovered. Luckily, foster families were found for them all.
Nerina Gill, media manager for the charity, knows first hand the impact of giving a dog its forever home.
Daisy is among the dogs Spaniel Aid UK has rehomed (Picture: Spaniel Aid UK)
Her own dog, Max, was adopted from Spaniel Aid.
Due to the scale of requests faced by the charity, Nerina hopes more foster carers can come forward as she did to help make a difference.
She told Metro.co.uk: ‘The situation has been getting progressive worse for the last couple of years and there are no signs of any improvement. If anything, it’s still as bad as it was at the beginning of the year.
‘We faced a problem of people buying lockdown dogs then finding they weren’t suitable.
‘During lockdown everyone was trying to breed puppies as there was a high demand for dogs.
‘We saw lots of indiscriminate breeding as prices went up. That means there are a lot of badly bred puppies out there, which leads to all sorts of physical and metal problems for them.’
Each day, the charity receives 4 or 5 emails.
Billy is another dog who has been through the rehoming process (Picture: Spaniel Aid UK)
Spaniel Aid is looking to recruit people with experience of active and intelligent working breeds for when dogs are in need of new homes.
Without foster carers, it would be impossible for the charity to operate.
One of the foster co-ordinators, Chloe Lloyd, said: ‘We don’t have a rescue centre, so our fosterers are vital for us to help dogs looking for new homes, often through no fault of their own.
‘We get several requests a day from people wanting to rehome their dogs, or from dog wardens or vets where stray dogs have been handed in.
‘We couldn’t help any of them without our wonderful fosterers, and we are always grateful for the fantastic work they do.’
Examples of some of the dogs rehomed by Spaniel Aid include young Ruby.
The five-year-old was found as a stray after giving birth to numerous litters, the last of which was delivered with a DIY caesarean section stitched up with string.
Spaniel Aid also rehomed Bailey, who was left abandoned as an eight week old puppy with three litter mates in a box in a car park
Other dogs, such as eight-year-old Charlie, were rehomed due to aggressive behaviour – but now enjoy a completely different personality with new loving families.
Can you help make a difference to spaniels without homes? (Picture: Spaniel Aid UK)
Golden cocker Daisy is one of many dogs helped by fosterer Nikki, who has been volunteering for Spaniel Aid for about three years.
In that time she has helped a mix of dogs, from strays to much loved pets and those with medical problems.
She said: ‘Whilst it can be hard work at times, the joy in getting to understand them and what they need to help them thrive is so rewarding.
‘Sending them off to their forever homes is always a time of mixed emotions – but getting updates and seeing them live their best lives makes it all worth it and I feel very honoured to be part of their journey.’
Nerina still fondly remembers her first experience fostering for Spaniel Aid UK.
She said: ‘The dog we were looking after had been shut away in a kennel for weeks on end. She was in a terrible state physically.
‘We took her out for some fresh air and she just looked up at the sky and sniffed the air.
‘It was a new world for her. It’s so incredibly rewarding when you see that sort of transformation and the difference you can make to these dogs.’
Anyone who fosters a dog for Spaniel Aid may choose to have them join their family on a permanent basis, but the urgent need is for altruistic fosterers, whose primary motivation is to help a dog in need.
If you can help support the charity, go to https://spanielaid.co.uk/foster-for-us/
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
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Covid and the cost of living crisis has led to a huge increase of spaniels being rehomed.