Data and facts about the reasons for adopters to pursue international rescue.
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Highlights
Overview
Country-Specific Data
Jump to: United Kingdom
United Kingdom (UK)
Jump to: Reasons, Methods, Welfare (2020)
Reasons, Methods, Welfare Considerations Study (2020)
External link:
Norman, C.; Stavisky, J.; Westgarth, C. Importing rescue dogs into the UK: Reasons, methods and welfare considerations. Vet. Rec. 2020, 186, 248. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105380
Motivation For Adopting From Overseas
- Previous Adoption History:
- Participants who had previously adopted from UK rescues: 53%
- Of those who hadn’t, participants who had considered adopting from the UK: 39%
| Reasons for choosing to adopt from abroad | Respondents | % |
|---|---|---|
| I came across this particular dog and wanted it | 1831 | 59% |
| Dogs abroad have suffered more | 1201 | 39% |
| Dogs abroad are killed if they are not adopted | 1172 | 38% |
| Dogs abroad are less likely to be adopted | 1028 | 33% |
| The appearance of the dogs appeal to me | 506 | 16% |
| I couldn’t get a dog from a UK organisation due to strict criteria about time spent at home | 402 | 13% |
| More choice of breeds abroad | 314 | 10% |
| I couldn’t get a dog from a UK organisation due to strict criteria about young children | 240 | 8% |
| I wanted to rescue a puppy which I couldn’t do in the UK | 111 | 4% |
| I do not like UK organisations | 97 | 3% |
| Other reasons | 252 | 8% |
It’s like computer dating on Facebook. You see a dog – you read their story – you fall in love.
When I set about adopting a dog I very nearly gave up and bought another puppy. Most of the rescues I contacted didn’t return calls and those that did simply said they had nothing suitable, and others wouldn’t consider me because I didn’t have a fenced garden.
Rules are too strict. ie, work full-time. Also, unable to find a dog I liked the look of.
Dogs in UK rescues often needed adult-only home or be an only dog in household.
Adoption Process
- Ease of Process:
- Found adoption from abroad extremely easy: 65%
- Found the process extremely difficult: 0.5%
- Adoption Checks:
- Had a home visit before adoption: 81%
- Completed a lifestyle questionnaire: 40%
- Had a phone or video interview: 19%
- Had no form of check: 6%
- Adoption Fees:
- Paid £201–£400: 59%
- Paid £200 or less: 26%
- Paid over £1000: 2%
- Participants spent more when the dog was specifically imported for them
Entry Into UK
- Annual Dog Entry Statistics:
- Estimated 300,000 dogs enter the UK annually under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.
- In 2017, around 31,000 dogs were imported under the Balai Directive.
- Importation of Study Dogs:
- Imported under the EU Pet Travel Scheme: 89%
- Imported under the Balai Directive: 1%
- Participants unaware of import method: 8%
- Adoption through Organizations:
- Adopted through an organization: 92%
- Organizations based abroad (exporting dogs to the UK): 40%
- UK organizations re-homing only imported dogs: 36%
- UK organizations re-homing both imported and UK dogs: 24%
- Adopted through an organization: 92%
- How Participants Found the Organization:
- Social media: 53%
- Word-of-mouth: 23%
- Search engine: 15%
- Charity website: 10%
- Finding a Dog Without an Organization:
- Social media: 45%
- Word-of-mouth: 19%
- Whilst on holiday: 18%
- Whilst living abroad: 8%
- Website: 8%
- Other: 2%
- Adoption Law Compliance:
- Organizations based abroad correctly exporting to the UK: 67%
- UK-based organizations correctly exporting: 18%
- Sources of Information Used for Moving Dogs:
- Information from rescue organizations: 50%
- GOV.UK website: 20%
- Social media: 19%
- Friends: 14%
- Airlines/Ferries/Transport companies: 6%
- None: 3%
- Other: 3%
- Support and Advice:
- Participants felt they had enough advice and support: 90%
- Importation Specifics:
- Dogs specifically imported for the participant: 70%
- Dogs already in the UK when adopted: 30%
Related data from the same study (Demographics)
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