The Independent published this article:

Around one in five puppies either fall ill or die before reaching their first birthday, a survey has found.

According to the Kennel Club, the pandemic – and the lockdowns that followed – led to a spike in people seeking out news pets, which was followed by a boom in adoptions and subsequent overcrowding of dog and cat shelters.

The organisation also found animal welfare standards fell over the course of the pandemic as an increasing number of people sought out pets on social media, leaving many unable to meet their puppy before buying it, or check the credentials of its family and breeder in person.

As well as finding that 22 per cent of puppies were falling ill or dying in their first year of life, the survey, published with The Telegraph, found that in the last five years there has been a “three-fold increase” in people turning to social media to buy pets.

Indeed, around a third (31 per cent) were purchasing puppies without meeting them first, the survey of some 3,000 owners revealed – at which point the fatality rate soared to one in three.

The organisation found that 30 per cent of dog owners are worried about whether or not they can keep their puppies as living costs continue to spiral.

Now, the Kennel Club is warning that the fallout of the pandemic, paired with the cost of living crisis, has led to a “perfect storm” for puppies.