Pets at Home to open store in Clapham South

As part of expansion plans announced at the start of this year, retail chain Pets at Home will be opening a new store in Clapham South.

There has been an "unprecedented" rise in pet ownership across the UK, with 3.2 million households having acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic according to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association.

Concerns about animal welfare have been raised from the outset of this boom in pet ownership.

The RSPCA has consistently warned it could turn into a "crisis" for those animals once new owners return to work – and life – post-lockdown, something The Dogs Trust confirmed earlier this month when it revealed a 182% increase in traffic to the "giving up your dog" pages on its website, compared with pre-pandemic levels.

On the flip side, 74% said their pet had helped their mental health as they coped with coronavirus curbs, the PFMA said. For many – hopefully most – people, "pandemic" pets were bought for life, not lockdown.

Chief executive Peter Pritchard said Pets at Home had seen a "significant step up in pet ownership during the pandemic" when in January the retailer announced its plans to open up to 20 high street branches in London to cater for this new wave of animal owners in the capital.

Refurbishments are still underway at the Pets at Home store in Clapham, which is set to open next door to Majestic Wine at 8-8b Balham Hill, where Bathstore previously traded.

Clapham Nub News is in contact with Pets at Home to keep you posted on its upcoming opening.

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