Humans and animals have always shared a special bond. For centuries, our furry friends have repeatedly brought joy into our lives, showing us unconditional love and proving to loyal companions. The Covid-19 pandemic was a difficult time for all, and many people struggled with their mental health.
The Social Impact of Covid-19 Survey 2020, from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), shows that during covid Irish people experienced a significant increase in feelings of nervousness, depression and loneliness during the pandemic when compared to 2018. The statistics show that 35.5% of Irish people reported ‘being very nervous’, 32.4% were ‘feeling downhearted or depressed’ and 26.6% were ‘feeling lonely’.
This resulted in many Irish people looking for companionship and many chose to adopt a pet. According to the 2021 Pulse Survey by the CSO, the Pandemic saw a rise in pet ownership with 20% having acquired their pet at the start Covid. Of these people, 87% said that the pet had a positive effect on their mental health.
The increase was so significant that Dogs Trust, a well-known charity organisation for dogs in Ireland, began the country’s first ‘Dog Census’ in 2024. According to their report, 88% adopted a dog for companionship, 85% for unconditional love, 59% for mental health benefits and 53% for physical health benefits, when asked why they got a dog.
Photo: Mariana Figueiredo
Other well-known organisations such as Petmania, Ireland’s leading pet retailer, also created their own report in 2023, (Ireland’s Pet Report: An Insight into the Lives of Irish Pets), and found that 63% of people had said they got a pet for companionship, 62% said their pet helps reduce their stress/anxiety and 56% had seen an improvement in their mood when around their pet.
Dogs remain the most popular pet amongst Irish households according to many of these reports. Petmania’s 2023 report states that 81% of households own a dog, 28% own a cat and 20% own both. A more recent CSO report, ‘Covid-19 – Our Lives Five Years On’, also confirms dogs are the most popular Irish household pet with 67% stating they have a dog and 30% have a cat. According to the Dogs Trust Census, the most popular dog breeds were :
- Jack Russells 10%
- Labradors 8%
- Collies 7%.
Photo: Mariana Figueiredo
However, the increase in pet ownership has resulted in a significant rise in pet population and this has caused many cases of abandoned and surrendered animals being taken in by many shelters across Ireland. In 2023, RTÉ shared an interview with Dr. Cyril Sullivan, Chief Executive at the ISPCA (Irish Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals), where he discusses why most shelters around the country are struggling with overcrowding.
Dr. Sullivan said:
“A lot of people have returned to work so in terms of people taking dogs in for rehoming, for us has gone down, and the number of breeders, be it legal or illegal during covid, grew their businesses significantly because of the demand for dogs going into homes, have now a situation where their market has disappeared.”
“It is a national crisis in terms of animal welfare.”
In July 2025, the Irish Independent interviewed Maciej Trojanowicz of Dogs Trust, who has been imploring that the Government stop tenancy agreements from banning pets, as they have seen a 112% increase in the surrender of dogs to their shelters.
Trojanowicz says:
“We do not want to see anyone heartbroken on whether to keep their dog or have a place to live”.
The pandemic reminded us how much pets enrich our lives. But as things returned to normal after covid, we have exposed issues with Ireland’s anti-pet policies in rental homes and the rise in the abandonment of pets. Stricter rules are needed if we are to help reduce abandonment rates and make housing more accessible for pet owners so that we can provide animals with the same happiness they have given us.
Photo: Mariana Figueiredo