More people per head of population own a dog in Wales than  any other country in Great Britain according to a new pet census.

Other findings reveal that dog owners are splashing out more than ever on their pets, according to the results of this year’s Pet Census, a national survey carried out annually on behalf of The Blue Cross pet charity.

The Blue Cross Pet Census shows that we spend an average of £406 per year on our dogs, a 20% increase from last year and £128 more than the average expenditure on pets.  Regionally the findings highlight that pet owners in the North spend the most on their pets, and those in the East Midlands spend the least.

And the pampering does not stop there – the findings reveal that dog owners spend more time with their pets compared to other owners and are the most likely to allow their furry friend to sleep in their bedroom.  However, dog owners are also more likely to experience behavioural problems with their pet than any other pet owners.

Nationally, the survey shows that close family aside, people are more likely to spend quality time with their pets than anyone else. 1 in 10 people would even choose their pets over close family, while only 9% of people would rather spend time with friends and 8% with other family members.

Dogs and cats are the number one pet of choice, each owned by 39% of people in Great Britain.  According to the results, pet owners in Wales and the North of England are the most likely to own a dog than anyone else in Great Britain.  As with previous years, the Pet Census shows a decline in dog ownership in London, with only 11% of respondents in the Capital owning a dog, compared to 14% in 2005.

Other findings reveal that 69% of pet owners admit to not having insured their pets against injury or ill health.  Dog owners are among the most responsible group, with just over half stating that that they have some form of pet insurance.

So far this year, The Blue Cross charity has rehomed 5,188 animals through through its 11 adoption centres, of which 1936 were dogs.

The Blue Cross Pet Census is an annual survey compiled by the pet charity as part of its ongoing work to understand the relationships people have with their pets. The data provides essential national and regional information including pet ownership trends, animal welfare issues and attitudes to pet ownership.

The Blue Cross Pet Census 2007

National highlights

• 49% of the population of Great Britain owns a pet
• 1 in 10 people would rather spend quality time with their pet than anyone else
• Dogs and cats are the most popular pets in Great Britain, followed by fish
• The average expenditure on a pet is £278 per year, which has risen from £231 in 2005
• Men spend more on their pets in a year (£282) than women (£275)
• 69% of pet owners do not have pet insurance to protect against injury, theft or ill health
• The majority of pet owners do not know that it can take six months or more to apply for a pet passport
• There are more dog owners in Wales than in any other country in Great Britain
• Those who are widowed or divorced are the most likely to allow their pet to sleep in their bedroom
• The biggest problem people experience with their pets is that they do not behave as expected, and are more responsibility than anticipated
• A third of owners acquired their pet for companionship
• People aged 16 to 24 are the most likely to own a pet

Pet passions

• The average expenditure on a dog is £406, and £291 for a cat, per year
• Owners of reptiles and rabbits are the most likely to say their pet was more responsibility than they expected
• Horse owners spend the most on their pets, with an average outlay of £684 per year
• More than half (55%) of animals that are rescued or stray are cats
• Dog owners spend the most time with their pets, and are the most likely to take time off work for their pet
• The cost of owning a pet rises with its age – pets under a year cost on average £231 per year, compared to £316 per year spent on animals over 7 years old
• More than 7 in 10 cat owners (72%) said their cat was a cross-breed
• Dog owners are more likely to experience behavioural problems with their pet than any other pet owners
• Equine owners are the most likely to know that it can take six months or more to apply for a pet passport

Regional findings

• Pet owners in Yorkshire and Humberside are the most likely to adopt an animal from a rescue shelter
• The Welsh are the most likely to own a pet, Londoners the least likely
• Pet owners in the North West spend the most time with their pets, those in East Anglia spend the least amount of time
• People in the North and North West spend the most on their pets (£303 per year), those in Wales spend the least (£253 per year); people in the East Midlands spend the least (£240 per year)
• Scots are the most likely to choose to spend quality time with their pets at the end of a busy day than anyone else
• Pet owners in the North West are the most likely to choose a pedigree pet over a cross-breed, while Londoners are the least likely to own a pedigree pet
• Pet owners in Yorkshire and Humberside are the least likely to have pet insurance
• Pets in London and Yorkshire are the most accident prone, with 14% of respondents reporting that their pet has sustained an injury of some kind

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