New research suggests that the UK dog population may have been underestimated by up to four million.
Dogs are the most popular pet within the United Kingdom, with 31% of households owning at least one, but while previous population estimates – including those based on public surveys – put the population between 9m and 11.5m, new research from Dogs Trust says the true figure may be 13m.
Previously, estimating the total dog population in the UK was challenging due to a lack of comparable and accessible data. Dogs Trust has collaborated with researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of Exeter to combine and model data from 18 diverse sources – including a breed registry, an academic institution, veterinary organisations, pet insurance companies, and animal welfare charities – to create a more accurate picture.
The information comes as the Renters Rights Bill – set to become law within a few months – notionally makes it harder for landlords to resist tenant pleas to be allowed to keep pets in their rental properties.
Dr Xavier Harrison, senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, says: “Knowing how many dogs there are in the UK is important, but isn’t necessarily straightforward to calculate. Up to date estimates of the size and distribution of the dog population within the UK, and how these trends vary by breed and age, allow us to highlight where and why certain breeds are more popular. More importantly, they provide a solid baseline for investigating what factors that may drive changes in dog ownership in the future, with consequences for human and pet health.”
In anticipation of the law change, lettings insurance supplier Paymentshield has changed its tenants’ contents product in anticipation of the Renters Rights Bill becoming law.
The updated tenants’ contents policy adds further protections for damage that might be caused by a pet to a landlord’s property, with cover extending up to £10,000.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will see landlords no longer able to “unreasonably” refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet at a property. However, landlords will be able to require a tenant has suitable insurance in place to cover any damage that the pet may cause to their property.
The government’s Animal Sentience Committee released a report on the Renters’ Rights Bill that estimated “40% of tenants may request permission to keep a pet, of which one-third will be successful. With 4.6m private rented sector households in England this increase is potentially 0.6m pets”.
The tenants’ contents insurance provided by Paymentshield is available on a rolling subscription model.
A spokesperson for the insurer says: “The long-awaited Renters’ Rights Bill is set to reshape the private rental sector. Our team has been working hard to ensure that we’re well-placed to support both tenants and landlords throughout this time, and the changes to our tenants’ contents insurance policy reflect this. Our updated policy means tenants will already have the cover in place to meet any stipulations from the landlord, making the addition of a pet to the house possible and providing peace of mind for both parties.”
