Feature image via www.travelandleisure.com.

Britain is, quite unashamedly, a nation of animal lovers. Nearly one in two households have a pet of some description, bringing the estimated number of dogs to around 8.5 million and cats to 7.4 million. Sure, pets are a responsibility, but there are significant upsides to adding a member of the animal kingdom to your family: pet owners reportedly are less stressed, enjoy better health and – certainly for dog owners – are motivated to get more exercise as well.

Being a pet owner in London can bring its own particular challenges and, if you’re living in rented accommodation, your contract may prohibit you from keeping a pet to begin with. That one-bed flat might not be particularly suited to a high-energy border collie, and it’s this kind of pet-home mismatch that in part explains the still-high numbers of pets abandoned or taken in by rescue centres.

The RSPCA says that the number of animals abandoned actually increases during the summer months, with animals being rescued at a rate of one an hour during the worst periods. We spoke to two charities – Cats Protection and The Dogs Trust – who each help to re-home and care for abandoned pets, to find out what advice they’d give, and what they wish potential owners knew before committing to getting a pet.

Cats might seem like a low-maintenance pet, but your website says that you re-homed and reunited 47,000 cats and kittens in 2015, so there’s obviously something cat-owners might be overlooking. What do cat owners need to be aware of?

This gets said a lot, and it might seem like we’re stating the obvious, but owning a cat is a lifetime commitment so you have to bear in mind the following things when you’re considering bringing a cat into your home:

• Remember they’ll need regular trips to the vet as well as vaccinations and flea treatment.
• Be ready to take out pet insurance to cover any unforeseen veterinary costs for illness, accidents and emergencies. Always read the small print to see what the policy does and does not cover.
• Provide your cat with a balanced diet consisting of fresh wet food and dry food.
• Always be prepared to spend time with your cat and provide them with regular play.

When you bring your cat home, it can take a few weeks for them to feel relaxed. To help them adapt, provide a quiet place with everything they need, including:

• An area for food and a separate area for water
• At least one litter tray placed as far away as possible from the food and water
• Somewhere to hide
• A suitable place to sleep or, ideally, a choice of places
• A scratching post

Is there anything that owners tend to overlook when they’re getting a cat? What do you wish people knew?

Cats Protection believes that neutering is an essential part of responsible cat ownership. Cats are very effective breeders and just one un-neutered female cat can produce up to 20,000 descendants in just five years. Without neutering, the UK’s cat population can quickly get out of control. Un-neutered cats are more likely to fight and pass on infectious diseases, and keeping too many cats in a confined area increases the risk of stress-related illnesses as cats are solitary by nature. A recent Cats Protection survey showed that 94% of owners did not know that female cats can get pregnant from four months of age, so owners should speak to their vet about the benefits of early neutering for cats.

We’re also huge advocates of microchipping. A recent survey shows that less than a third of pet cats are microchipped and one in four have no identification at all. Microchipping is the most effective way of identifying a lost pet as it is a safe and permanent form of identification.

Are there any types of cats in particular that are well suited to city living?

Well, just like people, cats are all individuals. Some cats love going outside, some barely put a paw through the cat flap and others can’t go out at all. However, there are some cats that are ideal for city living including:

• FIV-positive cats – FIV is a virus in cats that is similar to the human virus, HIV. FIV-positive cats can lead normal lives and remain healthy for many years. They make fabulous companions as they remain indoors close to their owner and are particularly suited to flats and houses with gardens.
• Older cats – which is any cat aged twelve years or above. Older cats tend to be lap cats because of their much more settled personalities. Advances in veterinary care mean many older cats live into their late-teens and some into their twenties, making them great pets for the long-term.
• Blind cats and deaf cats – for their own protection we recommend that they are kept indoors as they will not be able to see or hear danger signals. Only let them out into a secure garden or outside run.

Though these are indoor cats, some will like to play and exhibit their natural hunting behaviour as they would in the wild, so owners should provide opportunities for cats to play. Some ideal toys are treat balls, in which the cat has to work to prize out its own food, or fishing rod-type toys which mimic prey.

What advice do you give at Dogs Trust to people contemplating getting a dog, and who live in smaller houses in London? Are any breeds a particularly suitable or unsuitable for city life, especially in apartment living?

Dogs are incredibly adaptable. While many people assume smaller dogs are ‘better suited’ to city living, it’s key to thoroughly research each breed to ascertain the needs of each dog. Several larger breeds, including Greyhounds, Lurchers, Labradors and Border Collies, were some of the most commonly re-homed dogs at our London based re-homing centre last year. For city life, dogs have to be able to cope with the hustle and bustle of a very busy and often noisy environment. But, as with any breed, the importance of good socialisation and habituation is vital to help them feel comfortable with their environment. All dogs, regardless of their size, require exercise and mental stimulation to be happy.

The best advice we can offer once you decide to welcome a dog into your home is to do thorough research on all dog breeds, not just your favourite breed. By finding out more about the traits and the needs of each breed you might discover that the dog you have your heart set on isn’t the best fit for you, but one you might not have even considered before could be the perfect new addition. This is the first step for all prospective owners. If you consider adoption through a rescue centre like ours, you’ll be given a lot of guidance during your first visit to the centre. Here at Dogs Trust, for example, you will meet with one of our Canine Carers to discuss your lifestyle, your current commitments and what sort of home you could offer, and we’ll be able to suggest good matches based on those things.

Given what you do at Dogs Trust, what are the common things that pet owners tend to overlook when they’re getting a pet? What’s the one thing you wish people understood more before they got a pet?

When you get a dog, the most important thing to remember is that it is a lifelong commitment and alongside the wonderful benefits of companionship there are also responsibilities, which will include veterinary costs, training and socialisation. It’s really important to make sure that you can commit to caring for a dog for the rest of its life, and that you are prepared both emotionally and financially for anything that might come along. Consider who will look after your dog when you are at work or on holiday, and the costs of daycare. Are the places you regularly visit dog friendly?

It’s also really important that, if you are not rehoming from a rescue centre, you know what to look for when you visit your new puppy. Dogs Trust has lots of advice on what you should be considering when you get a new puppy, and what you should be looking out for when you go to meet them for the first time.

Getting a new pet can mean a period of adjustment while they find their feet around the house and learn what *not* to chew. If you need to clear the decks for a bit, Boxman can help. As London’s self-storage company with a difference, we’ll deliver sturdy boxes to your front door and return to whisk them away when you’ve packed everything up.