PUPPY prices have soared during lockdown according to new research - with an animal rescue centre in South Lakeland concerned by a possible increase in disreputable breeding to keep up with demand.

Figures from Pets4homes, which acts as a marketplace for the sale of pets, revealed prices had almost doubled in the last few months with dogs costing £1,900 on average.

Pets4homes' collated data was based on 150,000 adverts on the site, which showed the average price being asked from March to September was £1,883.

The average price during the same period last year was £888.

Marion Yates, interim manager at Animal Rescue Cumbria said that although the rescue centre did not monitor puppy prices they did have concerns.

"We don't monitor puppy prices, but they do vary considerably," she said.

"We have anecdotal evidence that a lot of breeding is taking place to meet the demand for puppies.

"And not necessarily by reputable and knowledgeable breeders who carry out the recommended health checks of breeding stock and put the necessary time and effort into socialising the puppy in the early weeks of life.

"Puppies from such sources may come with costly, life-long health or behavioural issues and, sadly, these are the dogs most likely to come into our care later down the line."

Likewise RSPCA Westmorland said they were not aware of the hike in prices for dogs, but expressed concerns about the general increase in those purchasing dogs during lockdown.

“As a rehoming charity for abandoned or neglected dogs we have no experience of the commercial world,” said Christine Lowe, branch manager for Westmorland RSPCA.

“We are just aware of the increase in purchases recently and await the fallout.”

Ms Yates said that as long as people were buying dogs during lockdown for the 'right reasons' the transition back to work, once restrictions are further eased, should not be too much of an issue as a new dog owner.

"It doesn't have to be a bad thing, provided people are buying for the right reasons, are able to meet the dog's needs, and have thought ahead and have suitable daycare arrangements in place for the time when they go back to work," she said.

"Dogs are highly social animals and, although most can manage up to four hours a day alone, any longer is likely to cause stress and possibly behavioural issues; in these cases, it is probably in the dog's best interests to be re-homed."