Dogs Trust warns of growing crisis for UK dogs as it unveils bold new strategy

• Around 1,500 dogs are in Dogs Trust care at any one time.
• A dog's average stay is now nearly two months.
• Shift to prevention to stop dogs reaching crisis point.
• Ambition to rehome 27% more dogs by 2027 and help 3 million dogs globally each year. 

Dogs Trust has warned that dog welfare in the UK is reaching a tipping point, as dogs stay longer in its care and arrive with more complex needs.

The charity is currently caring for around 1,500 dogs across its centres and foster homes, with an average stay of 58.5 days. The cost of care now stands at £57.57 per dog, per day.

So far this year, Dogs Trust has rehomed 3,423 dogs, roughly in line with last year. But behind those numbers, the charity says the challenge is changing.

More dogs are arriving with behavioural issues, needing longer and more specialist support. At the same time, owners are facing growing pressures, including changes in work, housing and health, as well as the cost of living.

Common reasons for handover include:

• Owners no longer able to cope  
• Unwanted behaviours  
• Changes in health, housing or working patterns  

Demand for support services is also rising, with more than 1,000 dogs cared for in foster homes so far this year.

In response, Dogs Trust is launching a new strategy, unveiled today at St James’s Palace.

The strategy marks a shift beyond rehoming, with greater focus on prevention, early intervention and tackling root causes, alongside international work to help eliminate rabies.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said: ‘’We’re seeing a real shift in dog welfare in the UK. Dogs are staying with us for longer and need more specialist care, while many owners are struggling before their dog ever reaches us. We cannot simply rehome our way out of this. Our focus now is on being there earlier, preventing dogs from reaching crisis point, and helping more dogs both here in the UK and around the world.”

The strategy will focus on three core areas: rehoming, prevention and international work. This includes more expert support for dogs in care, greater help for owners, and earlier intervention.

Dogs Trust aims to rehome 27% more dogs by 2027 and, globally, help 3 million dogs each year through its international programmes.

The strategy is being launched at St James’s Palace by kind permission of Dogs Trust’s Patron, His Majesty The King, marking a major moment in the charity’s 135-year history.

Broadcaster Clare Balding CBE and presenter Alan Titchmarsh CBE will join the event. 

ENDS 

For more information contact the Dogs Trust press office on 020 3985 8634 or email pressoffice@dogstrust.org.uk  

Images available upon request

About Dogs Trust  

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and normally cares for 11,000 dogs across its network of 22 Rehoming Centres in the UK and Ireland. Dogs Trust has a non-destruction policy and will never put a healthy dog to sleep. The charity also focuses its efforts on understanding dogs and sharing that knowledge with the wider public to prevent problem behaviours that can result in relinquishment or abandonment. We are working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.