Did you know that Australia has one of the highest household rates of pet ownership in the world? The emergence of the ‘pet parent’ and the ‘fur baby’ phenomenon has certainly grabbed Australia with both paws. In fact, the term ‘fur baby’ was included in both the Oxford English and Macquarie Dictionaries in 2015.
It is now estimated that 62 per cent of households have a pet (that’s over 24 million pets in Australia!).
With ownership of furry-tailed friends on the rise, Aussies don’t mind spending a penny or two on Fido or Felix. Australian households are spending more than $12.2 billion annually on pet products and services.
And dog-gone it, it’s doggies who are on top of the list as the most popular pet with almost two in five households owning a dog. Garfield takes second place just by a whisker, with the Australian Companion Animal Council estimating the country has 3.25 million pet cats.
Some surprising little furry (or not so furry) friends have been welcomed into forever homes with fish, birds, small mammals and reptiles making their way into Aussie hearts.
Whilst pet ownership and pampering is at a paw-some high, in good news for animals that have been abandoned or who can no longer be adored due to family circumstances, Australians are also embracing the ‘adopt don’t shop’ fur-a-cause mission.
PetRescue, a national animal welfare charity that Polkadot Communications is working with through our new pet health client, FRONTLINE, has seen a rise in adoption enquiries and adoption. In the past year until June, the charity has seen over 170,000 adoption enquiries and over 72,000 pets happily adopted.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a dog in Sydney, or a cat in Perth, you could find your dream match on the PetRescue site.
While owning a pet can be extremely rewarding, it is important to remember to take the time to do your research. These top tips will help you when bringing a furry family member into your life.
- Your budget. The cost of adopting or buying your pet is just the start of the financial commitment you’re making. There will be plenty of ongoing costs throughout your pet’s life that you need to be prepared for.
- Check out this helpful Australian Pet Budget Planner.
- Your lifestyle. Caring for a pet can take up a lot of your time and energy. You need to be able to make time for your pet every day.
- Your living space. The size of your home and garden will also impact the sort of pet you should choose.
- Different breeds. Don’t choose a breed based on looks alone. Different breeds have different needs and personalities, and the one that best suits your lifestyle.
- Could you consider adoption? In shelters all around Australia, there are plenty of beautiful cats and dogs (including kittens and puppies) in need of new homes. And you will enjoy saving a life.
Happy petting 😊
