What is the story about?
What's Happening?
An animal charity, Bath Cats and Dogs Home, has reported a significant increase in the number of large dogs being abandoned or surrendered into care. The charity noted a 16% rise in large dogs arriving at their facility between August 2023 and August 2025. Chief Executive Rachel Jones attributes this trend partly to the popularity of certain breeds on social media, where snippets of content may attract people to these dogs without understanding the care they require. Larger breeds like Malinois and Cane Corsos are particularly affected. The charity also highlighted that larger dogs take longer to be adopted, with some waiting several months, which incurs higher costs for the charity.
Why It's Important?
The rise in abandoned large dogs highlights the impact of social media on pet ownership and the challenges faced by animal charities. Larger dogs require more resources, such as food and grooming, which can be burdensome for owners, especially during economic hardships. This situation underscores the need for potential pet owners to thoroughly research and understand the responsibilities of owning larger breeds. The trend also places financial strain on animal charities, which must allocate more resources to care for these animals while they await adoption.
What's Next?
Animal charities may need to increase awareness campaigns to educate the public about the responsibilities of owning large dogs. Potential adopters are encouraged to consider the needs of different breeds and remain open to adopting larger dogs. The charity also suggests that people looking to adopt should keep an open mind, as a larger breed might be the perfect match for them.
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