50% of pet owners in London have concerns or regrets about getting a pet during lockdown
Over the course of the pandemic, 53% of pet owners welcomed a new pet into their home. Of those who took ownership, 66% did so for the first time.
1. 20% of Londoners underestimated how time-consuming owning a pet could be
Some of the most common regrets and concerns Londoners had were having underestimated the time consumption (20%), the mess a pet can make (17%), and the cost of owning a pet (15%).
Do you have any concerns or regrets about taking ownership of a pet?:
| Answers | % |
| I underestimated how time-consuming owning a pet can be | 20% |
| I underestimated the mess a pet can make around the house | 17% |
| I underestimated the cost of owning a pet | 15% |
| I underestimated the health problems pets can face | 15% |
| I underestimated how long it would take to train my pet | 15% |
2. More pet owners in London felt regrets and concerns about getting a lockdown pet than in any other region in the UK
50% of all new pet owners in London have regrets or concerns about taking ownership of a pet during lockdown, which is more than any other region in the UK.
| Region | % |
| London | 50% |
| West Midlands | 33% |
| Northern Ireland | 28% |
| North East | 27% |
| South East | 25% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 24% |
| Wales | 23% |
| East Midlands | 22% |
| North West | 20% |
| Scotland | 20% |
| East of England | 16% |
| South West | 15% |
63% were worried that the easing of lockdown would disrupt their pet
- We found that 63% of pet owners in London were concerned about balancing pet ownership with the easing of lockdown.
- The most common concerns were about disruption from returning to work (24%) and that holiday plans would disrupt their pet (18%).
Do you have any concerns as a pet owner with the easing of lockdown restrictions?:
| Answers | % |
| Returning to work will disrupt my pet | 24% |
| Going on holidays will disrupt my pet | 18% |
| Increases in pet theft | 15% |
| My pet will have separation anxiety | 15% |
| My pet will have socialisation anxiety | 13% |
| The increased cost of getting a pet | 13% |
| More difficult to access pet/puppy training | 12% |
| The increased cost of keeping a pet | 11% |
Increased time spent at home encouraged Londoners to purchase a pet during lockdown
- 33% of all pet owners in London agreed that the pandemic was somewhat a factor for taking ownership of a pet.
- The reason why these owners felt encouraged to take ownership of a pet was the increased time at home (35%) and ability to work from home (35%).
How did the pandemic encourage or enable you to purchase a pet(s)?:
| Answers | % |
| I have spent more time at home | 35% |
| I was able to work at home | 35% |
| To have more companionship | 26% |
| It is easier to train a pet whilst at home more often | 24% |
| Less time commuting | 24% |
| My children are at home | 22% |
| I’ve spent less time away or abroad | 15% |
| I was planning to get a pet before the pandemic | 11% |
| I’ve had more disposable income | 9% |
| I’ve been seeing others with pets more often | 9% |
Q&A with Dr. Brian Faulkner
Q: Why do you think people adopted pets during the pandemic?
A: Isolating during the lockdown was a difficult period for everyone. The need for companionship, coupled with the need to stay away from work for long periods and reduced access to the gym and team exercising, created ‘a perfect storm’ of conditions that encouraged pet ownership.
Q: Why do you think some of them now regret it?
A: Pets of course live for years. They require a lifetime of commitment in terms of company, exercise, nutrition, and preventative healthcare. They do not do well with changing circumstances that affect any of these key drivers of their wellbeing. As more and more people return to their normal social routines, many first-time pet owners are realising the implications of this to their pets and their own lifestyles.