Pet Cemsus 2s Wales is Dog Ownership Capital of Great Britain Submitted by Freelance Writers on December 19, 2007 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. | 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 ate 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 * Lin 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* Owners of reptiles and rabbits are the most likely to say their pet was more responslOlity thal Ley 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, whil rs oee eee eee ee eee ns eee ee EID EO IE U-turn; Ministers have dropped compulsory insurance plans for dog-owners Labour dropped its plan to make dog owners buy compulsory insurance yesterday - just a week afte putting up the idea. The lightning U-turn followed complaints from pressure groups that responsible pe owners would be made to pay for the behaviour of a minority. The plan for compulsory third party insurance, costing owners between £80 and £100 a year, was floated by ministers in a consultation paper last week and condemned by critics as a ‘dog tax’. But yesterday, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that compulsory insurance was 'tuled out’. He blamed opposition politicians for misconstruing the consultation paper, saying: ‘Any suggestion that w« will put a tax on all dog owners is simply untrue - yet another example of desperate Tory scaremongering.’ He added: "We don't want to penalise the vast majority of responsible dog owners because they're just as concerned as everybody else about that small minority who mistreat dogs, get them involved in dog fighting or use dogs as weapons. We've got to make sure that the public are protected and we're taking public concern seriously by asking how can we sensibly review the law that we've currently got.’ The paper last week was aimed at owners of animals kept with the intention of intimidating others, and included the suggestion of 'Dogbo' control orders for irresponsible handlers. The Tories said yesterday that Labour had made a 'political dog's dinner’ of its consultation paper. Nick Herbert, Tory environment spokesman, said: 'A dog tax on more than five million owners was proposed last week, and is now ruled out by Hilary Benn in a humiliating U-turn that just proves how tired and incompetent this government has become.’ Nick Starling, of the Association of British Insurers, said: ' Compulsory insurance is always difficult to enforce. The very people that the Government is targeting - those who mistreat their dogs or use them as weapons - are the same people who wouid not buy cover if it was available.’ Dog tax 080502 ManEvNws Anthony Lye, £25 dog tax 'price of clean streets’ DOG owners will be hit by a £25-a-year tax to cover the cost of cleaning up the street: former mayor has his way. Alan Neal wants owners taxed on every dog they own, but the proposed levy in Rossendale, Lancashire, has been condemned as unnecessary and unworkable. Coun Neal is adamant that something needs to be done. He said: "It really winds me up to se dog excrement all over the pavement. "We're talking about a very small minority of dog owners who ruin it for everyone else. I was out last Saturday distributing leaflets, and I wore a pair of boots that I had to spend 20 minutes cleaning. £25 may sound a lot, but it's only £2.50 a month over 10 months and if you own a dog you spend a lot more than that on food. I've spoken to an awful lot of dog owners who have told me I'm spot on. We also need more dog wardens. People don't seem to take the problem seriously - dog excrement can cause children to go blind.” But county councillor Sean Serridge said the idea was unworkable. He said: "There's no way the council could levy the £25 charge on all dog owners. For a start, how much would it cost t a sheC [Dogs Forums 1003) ioc | teat ccc] eee Horses need to have passports now so why not dogs. Bob, Maidstone fu Ban ALL dogs! They are a throwback to the days when we had to hunt for our food. They mess everywhere and when people the world over are starving these unnecessary animals wy, devour much needed resources. Get rid of them all! D All my farm animals including my dogs are either chipped or tagged and insured. Alan A . earced? Fi If over 20% of cars are not insured, how on earth will dog insurance be enforced? Frank. ‘The irresposible minority are precisely those who will not buy insurance simply because th ne are not responsible. Ay t / . ; So how much is the elderly person with a tiny yorkie etc going to have to pay in insurance ME because of bad owners? The insurance companies will be jumping with glee this morning. Don’t punish lonely people for having a bit of company! Chris, Sussex Insurance for dogs. I can predict the future, a burglar breaking into someone's property get / bit then claiming on the dog owners insurance! Dan, Doncaster A yoityowod Neuter’ chip, muzzle, inoculate and licence all dogs. The only exception should be worki tty dogs and registered breeding dogs. Ban all puppy farms and make it compulsory to clean t 4 after your pet. All dogs should be a joy to everyone and a nuisance to no-one. Yn In reply to (At 04:04am on 09 Mar 2010, th3_Ordcl3 wrote:) I would happily muzzle my d as long as you and everyone like you gags your kids and grandkids (AKA SCREAMING UNCONTROLABLE LITTLE BRATTS) in public until they have reached at least 12 because your hatred of dogs is matched by my contempt of other people and their little darlings who constantly ruin a good day out for everyone else, maybe they should also be microchiped and insured. We need to do the same with cats, too. They can be vicious little so-and-sos when they fe like. Come to think of it, hamsters are no little darlings either. So let's make sure they get same treatment. And then of course, goldfish. Have you seen what a goldfish can do to a submarine castle ? Them too, then. And worms, they should be chipped too, and insured. They're right out of control, they are. Then we'll be safe, and we can rest secure in our litt! cotton-wool world, working and shopping, working and shopping, working and shopping until we keel over, having led lives of model citizenship, tagged, watched and fined until | very end. Dune. It is ridiculous to penalise the vast majority of dog owners for the actions of a few. Medic studies have shown that pet dogs are beneficial to the well being of many - particularly ol people - in providing companionship etc. Also people walking their dogs provide a useful community service in providing unofficial citizen patrols of their neighbourhoods.