KENNEL CLUB SURVEY REVEALS THAT 60 PER CENT OF COMPETITORS WANT EVENTS TO RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
97 per cent want resumption within a year of lockdown easing
An online survey recently carried out by The Kennel Club has revealed that 60 per cent of competitors want events to return as soon as possible, it has been announced.
In the same vein, 55 per cent of judges and 53 per cent of event organisers would also like to see shows and trials resume as soon as government regulations allow in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Looking further ahead, an even more optimistic figure of 97 per cent of competitors said they would be happy to return to events within a year of lockdown easing. Similarly, 96 per cent of judges and 84 per cent of event organisers would like to return to their hobby within the same timeframe.
The survey was completed by a total of 8,036 people last month during the UK-wide lockdown. It was designed to gauge the views of respondents in relation to the prospect of the phased and safe return of licensed events.
In order to assess the views of the widest possible spectrum of those who participate in such events, details of the survey were emailed to more than 13,000 Kennel Club competitors and other ‘stakeholders’ such as judges, organisers of events, Young Kennel Club members, tradestand holders and spectators. The survey was also publicised via the canine press as well as across The Kennel Club’s social media channels from where it was shared widely.
While most respondents are keen to see a swift return to competing, the survey revealed that 63 per cent of those who compete at dog shows are not comfortable or sure about attending indoor events in the short-term period.
In other findings, 78 per cent of respondents said that they want to be included on competitor/exhibitor mailing lists overseen by The Kennel Club, while the majority want to see more announcements from The Kennel Club in relation to forthcoming events. The majority also want societies to publish their Covid-safe arrangements prior to their show; they also want to see The Kennel Club give more support to clubs, it was revealed, among other findings.
Kathryn Mansfield, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club is delighted that more than 8,000 people took the time and effort to complete our survey and we would like to thank everyone who took part. The information supplied will prove very useful going forward as we navigate our way out of the pandemic when we are able. As always, the health and safety of all participants at Kennel Club licensed events must remain our main priority.”
Tony Allcock OBE, Kennel Club Chairman, added: “The mere fact that more than 8,000 dog owners completed our survey is a sure sign that the passion that people feel for our hobby has not been diminished, despite the many challenges we have all faced throughout the past year. Please be assured that the various governance committees of The Kennel Club as well as the staff all remain committed to assisting registered clubs and societies in whatever way we can as we work towards the day when we can all meet again in the company of our beloved dogs. Roll on, that day!”
To see the latest Kennel Club advice and guidance regarding licensed events, including details of suspended/relaxed regulations across all canine disciplines, please visit thekennelclub.org.uk/resumptionofevents.
Please direct all enquiries about breed show regulations to breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk. For other canine activities, please contact wda@thekennelclub.org.uk. Any queries relating to show dates should be sent to sass@thekennelclub.org.uk.