Lets dive into the fascinating world of pet ownership, complete with quirky facts and insights. Grab your favourite four legged friend, sit back, and have a read!
Pet Population
Australia’s pet population has gone through a bit of an increase in recent years. Back in 2016 and 2019, before the pandemic, pet ownership stood at a consistent 61% of all households. But when COVID-19 hit, the number of pet-owning households increased to 69% – totalling around 28.7 million pets across the country!
As we got our bums settled into pandemic life, the pet ownership boom levelled out. The ‘new normal’ settled at that 69% mark. Who knew that our furry friends would be our pandemic pals?
Preferred Pets
You’re probably wondering which pets Aussies have cosied up with during recent years. Well, dogs and cats have led the charge, as expected. Roughly 48% of households have at least one lovable canine companion, and 33% have a feline friend.
Here’s the numbers for all other pets:
Fish – 12%
Birds – 11%
Small mammals – 4%
Reptiles – 3%
Other pets – 1% (like horses, farm animals, and crustaceans joining the party)
The Pandemic Pet Owners
During COVID-19, there were plenty of first time owners who hopped on the pet bandwagon. Most of them had been dreaming of bringing a pet into their homes for ages and the pandemic simply gave them the perfect excuse to finally welcome their furry companion!
The Rise of the Newbie Pet Parents
It’s no secret that the pandemic brought in a bunch of newbie pet parents. Around 45% of current pet owners can be classified as less experienced, and that’s a jump from the previous year’s 39%. It’s like we’ve got a whole new generation of pet lovers on the rise.
Multiple Pet Families
While many homes have just one pet, a growing number of pet-parents have expanded their crew! Since 2019, the proportion of households with multiple types of pets has jumped from 22% to 28%! Dogs with doggy siblings, cats with fellow felines – it’s like a furry version of “The Brady Bunch”.
Pets vs People
When you crunch all the numbers and give ’em a good stir, it’s official: We’ve got more pets than people! Around July 2022, Australia had about 28.7 million pets, outnumbering the human population of 25.8 million. Our furry friends are taking over, and we couldn’t be happier about it!
Fun fact: 93% of all Aussies have had a pet at some point in their lives.
So, there you have it! The scoop on Australia’s pet population, the pandemic pet ownership boom, and the ‘new normal’ of furry companionship. Let’s keep embracing our fluffy, feathery, and scaly friends, as they add that extra dash of love and happiness to our lives!
Remember, when it comes to pets, there’s always room for one more snuggle, one more bark, and one more wagging tail! Stay pawsome, Australia! ????
- Pets in Australia: A National Survey of Pets and People. (2019). Animal Medicines Australia. https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/report/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-2/
