Why not adopt a pet?
Cooper and I honestly couldn’t love Harry the dog any more than we do. He’s placid, friendly, funny and cuddly. And, he’s an adopted pup, definitely not from a pet store!
Sadly the Pedigree Adoption Drive Survey, conducted by Pure Profile in August 2013 in Australia, has presented a few disappointing findings. Despite Australians warming to the idea of adopting pets, with 70 per cent of surveyed dog owners considering it as an option, only 11 per cent actually source their pets from rescue organisations.
Findings:
Demographics
- Younger Australians, aged 18 – 24 are the most inclined to consider adopting a dog in the future (83.75%) followed by those aged 25-34 (79.21%). Of those aged 55 – 64 years old, only 52.63% would consider adopting a dog in the future
- Those in Australia Capital Territory are most inclined to adopt a dog, with 87.50% saying they would consider it in the future. New South Wales natives are least likely to adopt a dog with 67.88% saying they would consider it
Attitudes about dog adoption – those with adopted dogs
- 76.82% were motivated to give the dog a home it might otherwise not have had
- 13.91% were motivated because they were personally touched by a particular dog
- 88.74% would consider adopting another dog in the future
Attitudes about dog adoption – Those without adopted dogs
- 71.38% would consider adopting a dog in the future
- 25.18% view adopted dogs as untrained or hard to train
- 12.50% believe adopted dogs have poor social skills
- 56.70% believe adopted dogs have had a tough former life
- 41.85% believe adopted dogs are misunderstood
- 40.04% believe adopted dogs are loveable
The dog adoption process
- 47.26% don’t know much about the dog adoption process
- 20.10% view the dog adoption process as similar to choosing a pet from a pet store or breeder
- 23.48% view the dog adoption process as one with lots of flexibility and options
Pet dogs are part of the family
- 42.59% revealed their dog eats at the same time they do
- 33.53% admit their dog sleeps in their bed
- 27.66% include their dogs in family portraits
- 29.25% believe their dog shares their surname
- 13.43% admit their dog has its own bedroom in the family home
- 30.15% say they sign their dog’s name in family greeting cards
Favourite pastimes
- 44.08% of dog owners take their dogs on family holidays
- 53.03% say their favourite place to bring their dog is to the park
- 27.26% say their favourite place to bring their dog is to the beach
- 29.95% say if they had it their way, they would bring their dog to work
- 21.19% say if they had it their way, they would bring their dog on a plane
- 16.62% say if they had it their way, they would bring their dog to a restaurant for dinner
- 13.43% say if they had it their way, they would bring their dog to the footy
- 52.64% say if they had it their way, they would bring their dog on all holidays
The Pedigree Adoption Drive – on in Australia right now – is about celebrating the many families who love their pets, and aims to remove the myths associated with adopted dogs, with a view to increasing numbers of people adopting. The research found that more than 75 per cent of people who had adopted a dog did so to help the animal, and found more than 85 per cent of people who had adopted a dog said they would consider adopting another dog in the future, showing that adopted dogs are just as much a part of the family as any other beloved pet. More than 450,000 dogs are obtained from breeders, pet shops, and puppy farms in Australia each year. Figures from rescue organisations show the number of dogs in need of a loving home is increasing, which means it’s never been more important to recruit new Australians to consider dog adoption. People often think adopted dogs are troubled or believe breed and age options are limited, but the truth is thousands of beautiful, loving and friendly dogs of all different shapes and sizes come through Australian rescue organisations each year.
In Australia, the Pedigree Adoption Drive is shining a new light on these forgotten pooches across the coming couple of months, asking adopted-dog owners to show the world their dog is a much loved family member (therefore encouraging others to consider it) by displaying the free car sticker, available now at IGA super-stores, on Coles Online, within Woolworths Fresh Magazine, and by request via www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.au
