Three Things to Know
Most rescue dogs imported to the UK were mixed breeds. Many adopters said they were drawn to a specific dog they saw abroad over social media. Some were concerned about the conditions of dogs overseas, while others wanted to avoid supporting excessive breeding.
Behavioral issues were similar to those seen in UK rescue dogs, with most being fear-related. Only 1% of people rehomed their dogs, though those who adopted dogs already in the UK were more likely to consider returning them.
Most dogs didn’t follow the correct process for entering the UK. This worried researchers, as Leishmania infantum, found in 14.8% of tested dogs, could pose a risk to other UK dogs.
The Full Picture
The UK faces a significant demand for dogs, but around 10% of rescue dogs are euthanized due to a lack of suitable adopters. The recent rise in dog importation from Southern and Eastern Europe has raised concerns about disease transmission and behavioral issues. While animal welfare campaigns promote adoption, factors like adopter suitability and dog appearance influence decisions. Research on adopting rescue dogs from abroad is limited, despite potential adopters’ willingness to travel long distances.
The study, “Importing rescue dogs into the UK: reasons, methods and welfare considerations”, aims to understand why people adopt rescue dogs from abroad and to investigate associated health and behavior problems.
Study Methods
The online survey, distributed through Facebook groups focused on rescuing dogs from abroad, garnered 3080 mostly complete responses from July to August, 2017. The anonymous questionnaire covered participant demographics, the adoption process, the dog’s signalment, health, and behavior. Participants were asked to complete the questionnaire for one dog only.
Study Results
Dog Demographics
The majority of imported dogs were unknown cross-breeds (65%), followed by known crosses (17%) and pure breeds (16%), including 81 different breeds. Pointers and Podencos were the most common pure breeds. Most dogs were adopted at less than one year old or between 1-2 years old and had been owned for 1-2 years. Female neutered dogs (49%) were most common, followed by male neutered dogs (42%), with 26% of neutered dogs being sterilized only after importation. Entire (non-neutered) female and male dogs made up a small percentage.
These dogs were imported from 44 countries, with Romania, Cyprus, and Spain being the main sources. Most dogs were adopted after being found on the street, while others were rescued from animal cruelty, surrendered to shelters by previous owners, or born in shelters. The majority of participants still had their dogs, and of the small percentage that re-homed their dogs, most returned them to the originating organization.
Adoption Process
Most participants found their dogs through social media or word-of-mouth. When asked why they chose to adopt from abroad, 59% said they saw a specific dog they wanted. About 40% also expressed concerns about the well-being of dogs overseas, believing they faced increased suffering, potential euthanasia if not adopted, and a lower likelihood of being adopted. However, the appearance of the dogs (16%) was less important to most participants.
The majority of participants found the adoption process from abroad to be easy, with very few reporting difficulties. Most adopters had some form of pre-adoption check, with 81% undergoing a home visit, 40% completing a lifestyle questionnaire, and 19% participating in a phone or video interview. Only 6% of participants had no form of check.
Most dogs were imported specifically for the adopter, while 30% were already in the UK at the time of adoption. The most common adoption fee was £201–£400, with 26% paying £200 or less, and only 2% paying over £1000. Participants who had dogs imported specifically for them spent more on average. A small percentage of participants considered returning or rehoming their dog, with those who adopted dogs already in the UK being more likely to consider this than those whose dogs were imported for them.
Some participants chose to adopt from abroad to avoid supporting excessive breeding. They cited strict requirements from UK rescue organizations—such as restrictions related to time spent at home, the presence of young children, or house and garden criteria—as barriers to adopting locally. Given societal changes such as flexible work arrangements, a review of adoption processes in the UK could increase domestic dog adoptions, enabling more people to experience the benefits of dog ownership.
Entry into the UK
Most rescue dogs entering the UK came through the EU Pet Travel Scheme (89%), which isn’t ideal for most adoptions. This scheme is easier and cheaper than the Balai Directive, the appropriate method for rescue dogs, which only 1% of dogs followed. Interestingly, even though participants sought information (mostly from rescue organizations and government websites), there seems to be confusion about the correct process.
Here’s why it matters: The Pet Travel Scheme is for personal pets, not rescue dogs being rehomed. The Balai Directive has stricter health checks to prevent disease transmission. While 90% of participants felt informed, this study suggests a need for clearer guidelines for rescue organizations on importing dogs and educating potential adopters on the proper procedures.
Most adoptions were facilitated by organizations (92%), with 40% of these based abroad, 36% being UK organizations rehoming only imported dogs, and 24% rehoming both imported and UK dogs. Interestingly, organizations based abroad were more likely to follow the correct importation process (67%) compared to UK-based ones (18%).
Dog Behaviour
While about half of the participants believed their dogs were tested for behavior before coming to the UK, some faced behavioral issues after adoption, mainly related to fear. Aggressive behaviors were less common, often directed at other animals or when the dog was eating. Most participants (68%) sought help with these issues, often turning to the internet. Interestingly, fewer than 1% of participants took training advice from the organization or person the dog was from.
Of those who sought help, 71% successfully resolved their dog’s behavioral problems. Participants generally felt they had received enough advice and support during the adoption process, thanks to guidance from rescue organizations and Facebook groups.
Of the 33 participants (1%) who rehomed their dogs, 61% cited behavioral problems as the reason. Similarly, 73% of those who considered rehoming their dogs had similar concerns. Behavioral problems were more commonly cited as reasons for rehoming or considering rehoming if the dog had been adopted from within the UK, suggesting that domestic adoptions might be seen as easier to reverse.
Dog Health
Most dogs in the study were vaccinated as required in the UK, but 7% were not. Many of those not up-to-date were undergoing titre testing or lacked the Leptospirosis vaccine.
Over 90% of participants believed their dogs had received a complete health check before coming to the UK, including treatments for worms, fleas, rabies, and ticks. However, 20% reported that their dog had known health issues when they arrived, with injuries being the most common. After arriving in the UK, dogs were tested for various diseases, including Leishmania infantum, which was found in 14.8% of tested dogs.
The health problems of imported dogs, especially those with injuries, Leishmaniasis, Ehrlichiosis, or parasites, could pose risks to UK dogs. This result highlighted a lack of knowledge among participants about canine diseases, and it shows a need for better education and awareness regarding these issues.
Overall Assessment
Participants were asked for their thoughts on adopting from abroad. Responses were mixed, with many satisfied but others concerned about choosing reputable organizations. Of a random sample of 100 responses, 40% recommended adopting from abroad. 23% were happy with the organization they used, and 14% appreciated the ongoing support they received.
A key concern was the honesty of organizations. Several participants mentioned discrepancies between the information provided and the reality of their dog’s age and behavior. Some adopters were surprised to learn their dog was older than advertised, while others found behavioral issues to be worse than described. In a few cases, participants were unaware the dog was from abroad until after adoption. There were also reports of suspected fraudulent pet passports.
These concerns highlight potential issues with a minority of organizations that may be using deceptive practices. Choosing reputable organizations that follow proper protocols is crucial for the success of international dog adoptions, as transparency and accurate information are essential.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
International Rescue / United Kingdom
Year of Publication:
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