The Most Popular UK Areas for Dog Adoption

Recent news and updates from Benchmark Kennels

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At the height of lockdown, many welcomed furry friends into their homes, creating a puppy boom. However, now that life has returned to normal for some and others are experiencing job uncertainty, several owners have sadly had to place their dogs in shelters.
According to Battersea, 31% of people who acquired a dog or cat during lockdown hadn’t considered becoming pet owners previously, indicating that getting a pet was an impulsive decision based on having an unusual amount of free time. At the height of lockdown, many welcomed furry friends into their homes, creating a puppy boom. However, now that life has returned to normal for some and others are experiencing job uncertainty, several owners have sadly had to place their dogs in shelters.

According to Battersea, 31% of people who acquired a dog or cat during lockdown hadn’t considered becoming pet owners previously, indicating that getting a pet was an impulsive decision based on having an unusual amount of free time.

Being abandoned can cause dogs extreme anxiety and put pressure on local charities, but, thankfully, recent research has revealed a huge interest in adopting dogs across the UK.

When choosing a dog for adoption, we recommend you read about which breed of dog would be a good fit for you and your lifestyle

Benchmark Kennels has analysed the number of visits to dog shelter websites around the 100 most populated UK towns and cities to discover the areas with the highest demand for rehoming pups.

The top five areas with the most interest in dog adoption

Across the UK, different regions show varying levels of interest in dog adoption. Here’s a list of the top five areas where interest is at its peak:

  • Watford
  • Bristol
  • Edinburgh 
  • Cardiff 
  • Newcastle

Interestingly, Belfast residents show the lowest interest in dog adoptions with only 820 visits. However, this low figure isn’t hugely surprising as a recent survey cited Belfast as the sixth least dog-friendly place in the UK.

Has dog adoption increased over lockdown?

The overall interest in dog adoption has increased by 14.7% over lockdown. In the first six months of 2020, there was an average monthly number of 1,474 residents per UK town or city visiting dog adoption sites. A year later, this figure climbed to 1,692.

How many people are surrendering their dogs?

Here at Benchmark Kennels, we found that from January to June in 2020, there were an average of 22 monthly visits to ‘giving up your dog’ websites in each of the 100 most populated towns and cities across the UK, which lowered to 17 during the first six months of 2021.

However, the RSPCA claims to receive 40 calls a day regarding abandoned animals

Cheryl Sampson, Marketing Manager at Benchmark Kennels, says: “It’s so heartening to see that there’s been an increase in dog adoption, especially considering that lockdown has also spurred a rise in dog theft and abandonment.

“Adopting a dog is such a wonderful act of kindness, as it gives the pup another chance at a forever home while also bringing so much joy into the new owner’s life.

“Dog adoption is also a huge responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly, as you don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the former owner and have to give up the pup later down the line.

“Before committing to this decision, consider if you have time to train, exercise, and care for the pooch, as well as giving them the attention they deserve. There’s also the ongoing costs involved to keep in mind, such as vet bills, food, petsitters, grooming, toys, and beds.

“If you’re certain dog adoption is right for you, try to ease any stress they may be feeling when welcoming them into your home, and help them adjust to you as their new owner. Providing them with a crate or kennel will give the pup a place to get some peace and quiet if they’re feeling overwhelmed.”

Contact your local dog rescue centre for further advice or information on adopting a dog in your area.

About Benchmark Kennels

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke dog kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. You can customise your outdoor kennel to be as luxurious or minimalist as required, built using various materials from Wooden dog kennels to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation. You can order a kennel directly from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

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James S.
12:23 12 Jan 25
Hi , I had Liam and Craig from Benchmark kennels to install my new shed . Happy with the quality and service . Thank You Lads !
Kate A.
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Brogan and Nath did an excellent job fitting our Kennels today, despite the weather they did a fantastic job and super efficiently.Highly recommend.
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Had a 3 run kennel installed by Benchmarks and I’m so impressed. The communication was excellent and it was a very smooth process. Cat in the office was excellent and the assembly team both Liam & Jonny were brilliant, meticulous detail and very professional.I’m very happy with my kennel and the service, great job!Also definitely upgrade to the galvanised insulation pack, well worth it.
Johanna W.
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I had a delivery of an insulated kennel and also constructed on site for me. Liam and Jonny did a great job. These kennels are really well made. Really appreciated both of you!
Sydnee K.
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We had our 14 x 4ft Pent Duo Kennels built today, by the lovely Liam and Jonny. We are very impressed with the quality of the kennels and the workmanship that both Liam and Jonny did. Communication with Kat, ordering the kennels was painless and communications throughout were easy. Jonny and Liam arrived when they said they would, were polite, hardworking and tidied up after themselves. They even screwed on the solar light we bought for the kennels, which was kind of them. 5* from us!
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I got a double dog kennel,it’s a great quality and I’m really happy with it. Staff were really helpful on the phone when I ordered it. Great service. Triantis and Johnny who came to fit it were really nice and had a great attitude couldn’t have been nicerDefinitely recommend this company
Nikki C.
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What a fantastic service from Benchmark Kennels. All my many email and Facebook enquiries were answered swiftly and politely and the telephone calls all very friendly. We ordered our kennel and it was delivered and assembled by 3 friendly lads. The kennel itself, while not cheap is of great quality and will last many many years.They have a fantastic team there. Don't hesitate to buy from them. Thank you Benchmark!
Lucy E.
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Thank you Benchmark Kennels for a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ service - from ordering to delivery and installation it was not only super easy but super quick. First class service and professionalism - Brogan and Ash arrived and quickly had the kennel up and finished. Great quality and attention to detail - thank you so much. I am sure Spike will be very happy in his new house! …highly recommend.

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