Investigations into illegally imported pets rise by a quarter in three years
- A total of 740 investigations into illegally imported pets have taken place over the last three years
- 5.8m people have imported a pet from abroad collectively spending £1.3 billion on cats and £1.6 billion on dogs
- The breeds most likely to be investigated for being imported illegally are French Bulldogs and Dachshunds
- Over three quarters (78 per cent) of those who have imported pets have experienced problems, the most common being the pet seized
New research from Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals investigations into illegally imported pets are growing across the UK1. In the last three years alone the number of investigations made by local councils into illegally imported cats and dogs has grown by 26 per cent, from 221 in 2017/18 to 279 in 2019/20.
With a total of 740 investigations into illegally imported pets since 2017, the majority of these (93 per cent) have been for dogs, with just seven per cent for cats. French Bulldogs are the breed most commonly investigated for being illegally imported - this is likely to be due to the huge rise in popularity of French Bulldogs in the UK: there were 15 times2 the number of French Bulldogs registered in 2019 compared to a decade earlier; nearly 33,700 dogs, compared to just 2,200 registered in 2010. Dachshunds, American Bulldogs, Pomeranians and Chow Chows complete the top five most commonly mentioned breeds for being illegally imported.
The last 12 months accounted for nearly two fifths (38 per cent) of all investigations into illegally imported pets since 2017/18. Of these investigations, more than half (53 per cent) were found to have been illegally imported, of which a third (34 per cent) were seized.
Despite the increase in investigations, separate research3 by Direct Line found a third (32 per cent) of adults have or would consider importing a pet from abroad, with 11 per cent having done so already, this equates to 5.8 million people. Those importing cats spent £293 per cat, collectively equating to £1.3 billion, while those importing dogs have spent £323 per dog or £1.6 billion. Young people are most likely to look abroad to rescue or purchase a dog or cat –over half (57 per cent) of 18-34 year olds have or would consider importing a pet from abroad compared to just 15 per cent of those over 55.
Many seem to be motivated to look abroad for particular breeds, with one in six (16 per cent) saying that they would look at other countries due to there being a better variety of breeds available or because the breed they were looking for wasn’t available in the UK (15 per cent). One in seven (14 per cent) admitted they would look abroad because it’s easier to purchase or rescue a dog from overseas than it is in the UK.
Yet buying a pet abroad isn’t as easy as many may think and the majority (78 per cent) of those who did look overseas experienced some problems doing so. The most common problem was that the animal was seized under suspicion of being imported illegally and they had to pay for it to be quarantined and vaccinated, experienced by a third (33 per cent) of those who imported pets. One in five (21 per cent) suspected it may have been imported illegally and contacted the relevant authorities while for one in six (16 per cent) the animal became ill once home and had to be put down.
Table one: Problems experienced by those who have imported pets
Problem |
Percentage of people who experienced this |
The animal was seized under suspicion of being imported illegally and the owner had to pay for it to be quarantined and given the appropriate vaccinations |
33 per cent |
The owner suspected that it may have been imported illegally and contacted the relevant authorities |
21 per cent |
The animal was seized under suspicion of being imported illegally and was ultimately put down |
19 per cent |
The owner suspected that it may have been imported illegally but did nothing |
18 per cent |
The animal become ill once home and had to be put down |
16 per cent |
The animal became ill once I had brought it home but was treated and survived |
15 per cent |
Didn’t experience any issues importing a pet |
22 per cent |
Source: Direct Line Pet Insurance 2020
While the majority of people would consider factors like vaccinations and veterinary checks important before importing pets, nearly a third (30 per cent) do not think it’s important to see the animal’s mother and the rest of the litter before they buy it. This is one of the most important checks before buying a puppy or kitten as it allows owners to see if the animal interacts well and if it’s been taken from its mother too young. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) don’t think finding out the animal’s full history is important, but this is in fact vital as it not only lets owners know about pre-existing conditions, but also temperament and any potential hereditary problems.
Madeline Pike, Veterinary Nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: “While people often think they are being a good samaritan by giving a pet from another country a home, it can come with risks. Regulations often aren’t as strict, and animals can carry or transmit harmful diseases. Not knowing the history of an animal can result in the owner being left with costly vet bills due to pre-existing conditions, complications from an illness the pet contracted while abroad or during transit which could even lead to the animal having to be put down.
“There are so many animals needing homes in the UK so we would encourage anyone considering rescuing or purchasing a pet to look a bit closer to home. Whether purchasing or rescuing, it’s vital to make sure the animal is healthy and hasn’t been taken from its mother too young. If in doubt, seek veterinary advice before making a decision to help avoid heartbreak further down the line.”
The Department for Food and Rural Affairs4 provides the following guidance to those considering importing a pet:
· Consider getting a rescue animal from a reputable UK rehoming organisation
· Buy your animal from a reputable supplier such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder
· View the animal and its documentation before you buy. If it was born outside the UK it must have either a pet passport or a veterinary certificate
· Ask to see the local authority licence details for commercial dog breeders
· Licenced dog breeders must show puppies with their mothers to prospective buyers
· Speak to your vet if you have any doubts about an animal
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1 Freedom of Information Act request sent to all UK councils in October 2020.
3 Research conducted by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults between 29th October – 3rd November 2020
4 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/buying-a-cat-or-dog
For further information please contact:
Claire Jarrett
PR manager (Home & Pet)
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 832 411
Email: [email protected]
Samantha Stewart
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
0207 025 6497
Direct Line
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