Record rehomings as year begins: is the credit crunch helping dogs?

Some good news amid all the financial doom and gloom: things might not be as bad for rescues as first feared. Although some of our centres are worrying about increased numbers of dogs being handed in and the charity sector is reporting that donations are down, it seems more people are actually looking to rehome a rescue dog.

January saw record numbers of dogs rehomed, with 1,384 dogs finding forever homes - up over 170 on the previous year. February's numbers were the second highest on record at 1,006, in spite of terrible weather and fewer weekends in the month.

As yet we can only speculate on why this might be the case. Suggestions include:

• Although people are tightening belts, they're also focussing on better quality of home and family life.
• Owning a dog helps you have an active, healthy lifestyle, and saves on gym membership!
• It's cheaper to rehome a dog from a rescue than buy one from a reputable breeder.
• People are holidaying at home more, and a dog fits in to those plans.

Interestingly, the first months of 2009 saw more families than ever coming into our centres. Over 15,000 families visited their local centre during January and February, suggesting families are coming together during this difficult time and focussing on home life.

Take Mark and Joanne Simpson.

They recently visited Dogs Trust Darlington and welcomed Labrador cross puppy Bobby into their home on February 22nd. Joanne explains:

“Bobby is a gorgeous little dog – we are all so delighted we decided to give him a home. Being a dog owner is certainly more expensive than not being one, but our young children Sophia and Joshua had always wanted a dog and we just felt like it was the right time.

“Nobody can know what’s round the corner financially, but even though news of the economy is getting gloomier by the day, a happy home life is the most important thing to us anyway. If people are re-evaluating their priorities and also coming to that conclusion then I think that’s great! Bobby is a much-loved member of our family now. Having a puppy is a bit like having a baby again! You can’t put a price on that kind of thing!”

Has the financial downturn made you consider owning a pet? Tell us what you think.

Wendy and Lucy: Film & fundraising fun

Last night, the lovely folk at Soda Pictures held a special preview screening for the brand new film Wendy and Lucy, which is released to the general public on the 6th of March this year.

Not content with making a film featuring a Palm Dog-winning pooch, they decided they'd like to help dogs during their night at the movies. The guests dug deep and generously provided enough funds to sponsor a dog for a year. They were to vote on their chosen Dogs Trust dog but there's a tie, so we'll let you know which dog when they've decided on a tiebreaker!

So what about the movie? Well, here's the synopsis:

Wendy Carole (Michelle Williams) is driving to Ketchikan, Alaska in hopes of a summer of lucrative work at the Northwestern Fish cannery, and the start of a new life with her dog, Lucy. When her car breaks down in Oregon, however, the thin fabric of her financial situation comes apart, and she confronts a series of increasingly dire economic decisions, with far-ranging repercussions for herself and Lucy. Wendy and Lucy addresses issues of sympathy and generosity at the edges of American life, revealing the limits and depths of people's duty to each other in tough times.

Were you one of the lucky people who got an advanced screening? Are you planning to see the film? Tell us your thoughts.

Many thanks to Soda Pictures for their support!

The Credit Crunch: how dog owners are feeling the pinch and what to do to save money

At a time when food prices are rising, fuel is expensive, house prices are dropping and repossessions are increasing, it's easy to see how every family might want to tighten their belts.

One sad consequence of the 'credit crunch' in the UK is an increase in the number of dogs brought to Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres. With waiting lists growing, we do feel sympathy for those owners who feel they simply have no option but to give up their pet. Still, we urge dog owners (and those considering adopting a dog) to remember that simple measures such as neutering your dog and taking out pet insurance will pay dividends in the long run.

Some dog owners might think they can't afford to neuter their dog but Dogs Trust works with numerous veterinary practices and local councils on subsidised and free neutering programs. If you claim benefit and live within one of our campaign regions (North East, North West, Wales and Northern Ireland), you might be entitled to help with neutering costs. Follow the link to check if your postcode qualifies and find out more.

If you think you might soon be suffering from housing crisis, Dogs Trust Hope Project might be able to help too. Although the Veterinary Entitlement Card scheme is available only to homeless applicants, resources such as this list of UK-wide dog-friendly homelessness projects (including shelters, housing schemes and advice centres) could stop you from having to make the heartwrenching decision to give up your loyal four-legged companion at an already difficult time.

Some other charities and veterinary groups do offer free health checks, emergency treatments and subsidies. Try ringing around this list of veterinary contacts to find out more.

Many owners aren't in financial dire straits but want to reduce costs and count the pennies, whether short of cash, saving for something special or just a keen bargain hunter. My thanks to Petsugar, which inspired some of these tips:

• Give up your gym membership; what's better exercise than running around with your dog?
• Write a brutally honest list of your pet's needs and work out where you might be spending too much on toys and gadgets that aren't necessary.
• Luxury foods (with luxury prices) might not be offering your pet any more nutrients and could be loaded with extra fat and protein they don't need. Check ingredients, talk to your vet and make a healthy, budget-friendly choice of chow.
• Got a birthday coming up and would rather have something for the pets? Let your friends know!
• Prioritise your dog's health. Regular check ups, vaccinations and fast responses to illness will stop serious problems developing and the associated vet bills spiralling.
• Bargain hunt! Don't skimp on quality when it comes to toys and equipment as this could be dangerous (not to mention more expensive in the long run) but do pay attention to sales and bulk buys that could last a long time.

It's a hard time, but you need not make it harder by giving up your beloved pet. Remember, a dog is for life.