New UK Pet Figures Published

New research from the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, (PFMA) carried out of National Pet Month, (NPM), has revealed some interesting national pet buying trends..

Figures published over the bank holiday to mark the end, yesterday, of NPM 2008, indicate there are 27 million pets in the country spread around 43% of UK households.

The latest figures show cat and dog popularity as almost equal:

  • 7.3 million dogs

  • 7.2 million cats


    • The research lists the top 10 UK pets as:

  • Dogs

  • Cats

  • Rabbits

  • Birds

  • Hamsters

  • Horses/Ponies

  • Snakes

  • Gerbils

  • Tortoises/Turtles

  • Rats


    • 39% of London's pet owners purchase their pet for companionship and 60% of single people in the UK buy a pet for companionship. 39% of them have replaced their partner with a pet!

    21% of UK pet owners say they have wanted a pet since childhood, and almost of half of people living in the North East have wanted a pet since their early years. But it is the East Midlands that has the most pet lovers with 14% of the pet population. This compares to only 4% of the UK population residing in Wales.

    Over a quarter (27%) of the UK's pets were bought or acquired from an animal welfare or rescue centre compared to 20% from a pet shop.

    Phil Sketchley, Chairman, National Pet Month, commented,

    "Pet ownership has grown over the years to this national high and it's no surprise that so many pet lovers see their pet as a companion. National Pet Month aims to promote responsible pet ownership throughout the generations, and we hope that the millions of pets now living in the UK benefit from our continued work."