Data and facts on the occurences of international rescue, as well as owner and dog demographics.
Jump to: Overview | Importation Data | Demographics
Highlights
Overview
Importation Data
Canada
- The Canadian National Canine Importation Working Group reported that at least 6,189 rescue dogs were imported to Canada in 2013 alone. (Source, 2016)
- In 2013-2014, at least 197 Canadian rescue organizations (including SPCAs and Humane Societies) imported dogs into the country, and an additional 21 foreign rescues exported dogs to Canada. (Source, 2016)
United Kingdom (UK)
- Roughly 44,000 dogs were imported into the United Kingdom for commercial purposes. (Source, 2019)
United States (US)
- About 1.06 million dogs are imported into the US yearly, with 700,000 by air and 360,000 by land. (Source, 2019)
Demographics
Jump to: Canada Owner-Dog Relationship Study | UK Motivations, Methods, Welfare (2020)
Canada: Two Self-Reported Surveys on Owner-Dog Relationship (2022)
External link:
von Rentzell KA, van Haaften K, Morris A, Protopopova A (2022) Investigation into owner-reported differences between dogs born in versus imported into Canada. PLoS ONE 17(6): e0268885. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268885
Study 1
Demographics
- Gender: 51.7% female, 47.9% male.
- Age: Largest proportion in the 36-55 age group (40.5%), followed by 56-79 (26.2%).
- Education: Majority have high school/trade school (44.7%) or university degrees (37.9%).
Dog Ownership
- Dog Origin: 92.7% Canadian dogs, 7.22% non-Canadian dogs.
- Acquisition Methods (Canadian Dogs): Shelters/rescue/vet clinics (27.1%), purebred breeders (26.2%), friends/relatives/neighbors (21.6%), online/print/in-person ads (16.2%), pet stores (5.1%), offspring of another dog (2.3%), found as stray (1.5%).
- Acquisition Methods (Non-Canadian Dogs): Shelters/rescue/vet clinics (50.0%), purebred breeders (19.0%), friends/relatives/neighbors (15.6%), online/print/in-person ads (3.5%), pet stores (5.2%), offspring of another dog (5.2%), found as stray (1.8%).
| Puppy Background | Canadian Dogs (%) | Non-Canadian Dogs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Born to dog from Canadian breeder (intentional litter) | 43.49% | 0% |
| Don’t know | 15.03% | 25.86% |
| Friend/neighbor/relative’s dog had puppies | 15.84% | 12.07% |
| Born in animal shelter/rescue/vet clinic | 8.19% | 1.72% |
| Born to stranger’s dog (accidental litter) | 7.25% | 5.17% |
| Born to dog living on streets/found/stray | 3.09% | 20.69% |
| Born to dog from international breeder (intentional litter) | 1.74% | 27.59% |
| Born to dog in my household | 2.82% | 3.45% |
| Pet store | 2.55% | 3.45% |
| Total | 92.78% | 7.22% |
Study 2
Demographics
- Owner Gender (All Dogs): 59.5% female, 41.1% male.
- Owner Gender (Non-Canadian Dogs): 69.6% female.
- Owner Age (All Dogs): 55+ (41.1%), 35-54 (31.3%), 18-34 (27.3%).
- Owner Age (Non-Canadian Dogs): 55+ (40.0%).
Dog Ownership
- Canadian Dogs: 86.9%.
- Non-Canadian Dogs: 13.1%.
- Acquisition (Canadian Dogs): Mostly as a puppy (53.9%).
- Acquisition (Non-Canadian Dogs): Puppy (33%), adult (33%).
- Dog Breed (Non-Canadian Dogs): Toy breeds most common (34%).
| Dog Breed | % |
|---|---|
| Canadian Dog Breed | 86.9 |
| Purebred | 56.22 |
| Mixed | 43.78 |
| Non-Canadian Dog Breed | 13.1 |
| Purebred | 43.48 |
| Mixed | 56.52 |
| Total | 100 |
| Dog Size | % |
|---|---|
| Canadian Dog Size | 86.9 |
| Small (<10kg) | 34.21 |
| Medium (10-20kg) | 34.73 |
| Large (>20kg) | 31.06 |
| Non-Canadian Dog Size | 13.1 |
| Small (<10kg) | 43.48 |
| Medium (10-20kg) | 35.65 |
| Large (>20kg) | 20.87 |
| Total | 100 |
| Puppy Background | Canadian Dogs (%) | Non-Canadian Dogs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Born to dog from Canadian breeder (intentional litter) | 43.49% | 0% |
| Don’t know | 15.03% | 25.86% |
| Friend/neighbor/relative’s dog had puppies | 15.84% | 12.07% |
| Born in animal shelter/rescue/vet clinic | 8.19% | 1.72% |
| Born to stranger’s dog (accidental litter) | 7.25% | 5.17% |
| Born to dog living on streets/found/stray | 3.09% | 20.69% |
| Born to dog from international breeder (intentional litter) | 1.74% | 27.59% |
| Born to dog in my household | 2.82% | 3.45% |
| Pet store | 2.55% | 3.45% |
| Total | 92.78% | 7.22% |
Related data from the same study (Behaviours, Health & Relationships)
Research Summary | Back to Top
UK Motivations, 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
Dog Demographics
- Breed Composition:
- Unknown cross-breeds: 65%
- Known crosses: 17%
- Pure breeds: 16%
- Common breeds: Pointers (22%), Podencos (10%)
- Age at Adoption:
- Younger than one year old: 30%
- 1–2 years old: 29%
- Sex and Neutering Status:
- Female neutered: 49%
- Male neutered: 42%
- Neutered after importation: 26%
- Female entire: 4%
- Male entire: 3%
- Country of Origin:
- Romania: 34%
- Cyprus: 22%
- Spain: 19%
- Dogs imported from a total of 44 countries
- Reason for Adoption:
- Found on the street: 61%
- Rescued from animal cruelty: 10%
- Given to a shelter by previous owners: 8%
- Born in a dog shelter: 4%
- Rescued from the dog-meat trade: 1%
- Post-Adoption Status:
- Still with original adopter: 97%
- Re-homed (1% of total):
- Returned to originating organisation: 61%
- Given to friends, family, or members of the public: 29%
- Re-homed to a UK organisation: 11%
Related data from the same study (Adoptor Motivations)
Related data from the same study (Behaviours, Health & Relationships)