After people rushed to buy puppies to keep them company during lockdown, pet websites are now filled with dogs for sale, with some trying to get back the money they spent.
Many of the animals listed are between six and 12 months old, with prices more than £3000 for some breeds.
Sellers have realised that the animals no longer fit into their lifestyles, with many people working from home during lockdown but now having to go back to the office.
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One seller, from Lincoln, is selling a six-month-old Belgian Shepherd for £1000 on a pet rehoming website.
They wrote: "I've had this for just shy of two weeks, I love him to absolute pieces thinking I would have time to properly look after him.
"Due to Covid my jobs got a lot busier [sic] and I'm struggling to maintain him.
"I'd like him to go to a well caring home where he can be looked after and walked regularly."
While another is selling a 20-week-old Beagle puppy for £1500, having bought her for almost £2000, but now has different hours at work.
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They wrote: "My beagle pup is now 20 weeks old. She is up to date with jabs etc and have paper work to show. She is also microchipped. I bought this pup for myself and now find myself with different hours at work due to Covid.
"I paid close to £2000 for her but would take £1500 to the right person/family.
"Absolutely gutted as I love her so much but I have to do the right thing."
Another is selling an eight-month-old Male Alapaha Blue Bulldog for £1000.
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The advert reads: "He hasn't been snipped. He is such a beautiful big boy, we just don't have the time for him. We will be sad to see him go, ONLY TO A GOOD FITTING HOME!"
As reported by The Times, The Dogs Trust charity has had more than 1,800 calls in the last three months from people wanting them to rehome dogs under a year old. On 27 and 27 December they had 114 calls come through, with 19 puppies aged under nine months old.
Adverts largely say that people can no longer afford the pups, don't have time or have had a 'change in circumstances'.
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An RSPCA spokesperson said: "We were worried that many families who found themselves at home with time on their hands during lockdown would make impulse decisions to take on pets and now, just a few months on, would be seeking to rehome their new dogs after realising how much commitment they are, having run into financial difficulties due to the pandemic, or because they've returned to work and no longer have time for them."
Adam Clowes, operations director for the Dogs Trust said: "All that initial lockdown excitement - 'We are never going to have to go into the office again, let's get a dog!' We are now seeing the consequence of that."
Featured Image Credit: Dog's Trust