Pets are a vital part of our everyday life. There is no doubt that people enjoy shopping for the creatures they keep as pets. For most people worldwide, pets are a part of the family. They hold intrinsic value and are often greatly loved and appreciated. Therefore, people like to buy them gifts and supplies to make them happy and healthy. Ecommerce has a huge and lucrative market for animal supplies and other related products.
Pets are members of the family of people who own them. When asked which aspects of their lives are the most significant, pet owners place their pets right behind their families. Modern pet owners don’t just see their pets as domesticated animals but as important members of their households. So, what caused this new perspective of pet ownership and how can you accommodate these new pet owners at your veterinary practice?
Pet Ownership in the United Kingdom
Over the years, people have emphasized caring for their pets to the point that they now consider them a part of their families. They offer people friendship, love, and a certain degree of fun.
Several others thought that the Covid-19 restrictions, which forced them to make lifestyle changes, were an excellent excuse to obtain a new pet. As people start working from home and traveling less for both work and pleasure, new pet owners have more opportunities to enjoy themselves with their new companion animals. 23% of owners who acquired their pet after March 2020 did so as pandemic-related lifestyle changes meant that it was a great time to have a pet at that moment in their lives.
The following data on pet ownership in the United Kingdom are informative in light of animals’ significant influence on every owner’s life.
- In 2020-2022, around 59% of homes in the United Kingdom will have pets. This option equates to 17 million homes across the country home to 34 million animals considered to be domesticated.
- Approximately there will be 12.5 million dogs living in households across the United Kingdom in 2022. This figure translates to 33% of families across the UK having their canine companion.
- United Kingdom households that own cats are expected to reach 12.2 million in 2022. This figure indicates that 27% of homes in the United Kingdom have at least one cat in their family.
- The initial year of pet ownership may cost more than £1,000.
- The annual expense of providing food and treats for a pet is approximately £300.
- During Covid, 38% of pet owners were able to manage their anxiety with the help of their pets.
Pointers in Acquiring a Pet in the United Kingdom
Before acquiring a pet, one should be aware of and comply with the implemented policies. Below are the things to keep in mind.
- Since April 6, 2016, all dogs in England, Scotland, and Wales must get microchipped before eight weeks. The owner of dogs without microchips can face a £500 fine.
- Private veterinarian care in the UK can be expensive, so always make sure you can afford a pet before getting one. Several insurance companies offer pet coverage, so one should investigate which one is best suited. If from another country, many insurance firms will seek the pet’s health history when signing up for a plan or filing a claim.
- Preventative care and treatment are vital if a pet comes from another nation because there may be various infections and parasites carried by or possibly acquired by the pet.
How Veterinary Services Must Adjust to the New Pet Owners from COVID
To varying levels of effectiveness, numerous nations have rapidly developed or modified digital learning systems to replace traditional school-based education. However, it is a substantially greater deal and more challenging to provide and evaluate work-based learning programs such as apprenticeships when conducted at a distance.
There were two primary contributors to this finding—the instant interruption of provision created by rules and restrictions about confinement and social distancing. Secondly, the reality is that businesses have historically tended to cut less on apprenticeship programs during times of economic distress.
Vet Disruptions
The primary obstacle they face is the inability of current vet students, particularly apprentices, to learn in traditional settings like classrooms, educational workshops, or workplaces. It is possible to teach and absorb theory online in certain occupational disciplines; however, you cannot efficiently supply practical parts due to a lack of access to tools, resources, equipment, and technology.
Other industries are experiencing unique difficulties, such as the medical community, where certain educational institutions are getting counselled to lessen their training intensity due to the associated health hazards.
Apprenticeship Offer Cuts
Experts expect the pandemic to enter a recession as the pandemic dragged on the economy. Sadly, in certain countries, this process has already started. This issue presents unique difficulties for certain industries. This option means that certain disciplines are unable to operate. Still, it also implies that, by extension, they cannot provide or sustain apprenticeships because of a lack of personnel to provide instruction and inadequate funding. It is not unreasonable to anticipate a fall in enrolments for vocational education and training and, consequently, a decrease in the number of potential apprenticeships for the upcoming academic year.
Responding to the Pandemic
Below are some ways veterinary practices can adapt to sudden changes caused by the pandemic.
- Utilization of more online and virtual platforms
- Breaks or extensions get applied during training
- Wage subsidies to encourage the retention of apprentices
- Evaluation of skills and granting of certifications
- Re-education and reorientation of reassigned staff
- Students, apprentices, service providers, and social partners are always informed and updated, engaged, and communicated with
Conclusion
Companionship is a top reason people get pets. The pandemic has made UK residents want pets even more as it continues to call for distancing and even isolation. Our pets greatly help keep us sane while living in a pandemic in personal matters. It is only important to take care of them as they take care of us. Life must continue as the world slowly adapts to these changes, and luckily, Veterinary IT Services is here to help.
