A DOG rehoming charity is bracing itself for an increase in demand due to the continuing financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Between August 2020 and January 2021, Dogs Trust saw a 41 per cent increase in web traffic to its ‘Giving Up Your Dog’ page compared to previous the six-month period. 

The charity believes this is due to people taking a financial hit due to job loss or furlough meaning they can no longer afford to look after their dogs.

And the charity has now launched its ‘Change the Tale’ campaign featuring snippets of real phone calls made to its  helpline from people needing to give up their dog.

It has released these calls to highlight the struggles that more owners could face in the months and years ahead and is encouraging people to seek advice if they feel they can no longer care for their pet.  

 One dog that Dogs Trust Darlington has helped ‘change the tale’ for was nine-week-old German Shepherd puppy, Loki, who came into the care of the Sadberge team in late December 2020.

His previous owner could no longer look after him due to the financial fallout of the pandemic and the Darlington team quickly found him a permanent home with a couple from County Durham.

Sue Embleton, manager at Dogs Trust Darlington, said it was 'wonderful' that Loki found his forever home, adding: "We know that the pandemic, and its economic repercussions, will have devastating effects on some people’s lives and their ability to care for their pets. 

“When people take on the responsibilities of dog ownership, they do so with the best intentions to care for them long-term.

“But as the calls to Dogs Trust show, in these extraordinary times circumstances can change in a heartbeat, leaving owners with incredibly tough decisions to make.  

  “It is heart-breaking to hear someone having to choose, for example, between a roof over their head, or their dog and we’d like to thank the people who made these calls for allowing us to share their story and for coming to us in their time of need. 

"Unfortunately, we believe the worst is yet to come and we expect many more calls like this as the pandemic fallout continues - and we will do all we can to help those in need of our support.”