Increase in 'designer' dogs needing to be re-homed

There are plenty of dogs that need homes in Derbyshire but according to recent statistics, the number of 'designer' dogs in need of homes is increasing.

While Staffies, Lurchers, Jack Russell terriers and German Shepherds are still the most rescued breeds, these 'designer' dogs - including puggles and cockerpoos - are appearing more and more in the charity’s re-homing centres.

Last year, the RSPCA rescued 115 dogs from abuse and neglect in Derbyshire and received 9,949 calls to its 24-hour cruelty hotline about animals in the county.

For the Adoptober campaign, the RSPCA is urging people across Derbyshire to adopt one of the many rescue dogs in need of loving homes.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Hens said: “We know that the animals coming into our care tend to reflect general dog ownership trends and there’s been a huge surge in recent years in people buying ‘designer dogs’ and crossbreeds such as cavachons, puggles and cockerpoos.'

National figures show that the overall number of trendy "handbag dogs" such as chihuahuas and pomeranians in rescue homes has more than quadrupled.

Lisa Hens continued: “As part of our re-homing drive this October we want to shine a light on all of the dogs in our care and encourage people to adopt a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy."

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