In Stockholm, there is now one dog for every 17th person.
Stockholm has slowed down since the pandemic, and people have been spending a lot of time inside their own homes. This has created a significant rise in the number of dogs homed in Stockholm, with dog ownership growing in the city by 6.8% from 2019 to 2020. People have more free time to spend with their dogs right now, and for some people, this is a way of alleviating feelings of isolation whilst living alone during the pandemic.
Swedes now own a greater number of dogs than ever before, and interest is not waning. The number of people interested in getting a dog has also increased significantly, with more and more people applying to get a dog. Once upon a time, people would speak of returning to the office as if that were a sure thing, but now it seems that people are not so sure anymore. The pandemic has lasted for a lot longer than most people had expected already, so it seems that more people are willing to live in the here and now, rather than planning for a return to the office.
Dogs can be incredibly beneficial for peoples’ mental health. They have to be walked, so that gets people out into the fresh air. Plus, dogs are brilliant company, especially for those living alone. If you’re thinking about getting yourself a furry friend, there are plenty of dogs in Stockholm at Hundstallet, looking for somebody to adopt them. You can get in touch with the dog rescue via their website.