The north-south pet divide revealed

Posted : 23-11-2007

The UK is divided when it comes to pet ownership, with people in the north fondest of dogs and those in the south preferring the companionship of their cats, according to the PDSA.

Figures compiled by the veterinary charity show that there are far fewer dogs brought to PetAid hospitals in southern parts of the UK than in the north.

The starkest discrepancy between cat and dog ownership is in Northern Ireland, where 80 per cent of PetAid patients are canine, but all Britons are strongly advised to take out comprehensive pet insurance whichever kind of animal they own.

"Dog ownership seems higher in rural areas, indicating that the many dog-walking opportunities available in the countryside might be an influential factor," said PDSA's senior veterinary surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury.

"Equally, our data suggests that cats prove quite popular with city dwellers, probably because they are far more independent."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the RSPCA recently described pet insurance for owners of cats and dogs in the UK as "extremely important".


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