Animal welfare crisis looms as Plymouth lockdown eases

A Plymouth animal charity is bracing itself for an unwanted pet crisis as lockdown restrictions ease this month.

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust has seen the number of animals in its care climb from 145 to 190 since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Now the Sanctuary, at Elfordleigh, on the edge of Plympton, fears it will struggle to cope in the coming weeks and months, as lockdown eases.

According to Deputy Manager Dawn Cornish, while Woodside’s rehoming virtually ground to a halt in lockdown, a worrying number of families purchased puppies, when socialisation was restricted.

At the same time, many older dogs got used to their families being at home, and being taken on longer walks.

As restrictions are lifted further this month and more people return to work, Woodside is concerned about the impact this sudden change will have on dogs, who Dawn fears could end up on the charity’s doorstep.

“During lockdown, dogs gave people a reason to go out for a walk, they gave people companionship and helped them to cope,” Dawn said. “However, as people return to work, we are heading towards a problem.

“Separation anxiety is going to be a serious issue for some dogs. People will return to work without giving a thought to how their dogs will cope with the change in routine.  The situation is going to go from all to nothing for dogs if people do not prepare.

“People who have bought puppies during this time haven’t been able to go to socialisation and training classes. As they get bigger, these dogs are going to be less socialised and we are going to see the fallout moving forward.”

The charity is also concerned about the impact limited animal spaying and neutering caused by lockdown restrictions will have on its work going forward.

Woodside founder Carole Bowles MBE said: “We have worked really hard to bring down the number of unwanted litters. That has potentially all been undone now for this year and potentially years ahead.

“We would urge people to neuter, neuter, neuter as soon as possible.”

Throughout lockdown, Woodside has continued to take in animals in emergency situations, for example, feral cats and kittens, badly neglected pets and where an owner has died, been taken into hospital or sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

As lockdown has eased, its non-emergency work and rehoming has returned, but is far from back to normal.

Staff numbers are down by a third and no volunteers are on site, while funding has been drastically reduced as the charity’s shops remain closed until later this month and events have been cancelled.

Potential rehomers are now asked to register their interest in an animal on the charity’s website and, if deemed suitable, will be invited to meet with the animal. If successful, virtual home visits are arranged.

The charity has rehomed 65 animals in the past three months, compared to more than 200 in the same period last year.

“People think the situation is getting better but we are very concerned what animal welfare is going to be like coming out of this,” Carole said.

“There are some really tough times ahead.”

For more information contact Woodside on 01752 347503, email generalenquiries@woodsidesanctuary.org.uk, visit the charity’s website at www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or find the sanctuary on Facebook.