Charity Paws for a Purpose are conducting a national survey to learn about the key factors that may be preventing wider pet ownership in Australia.
Pet ownership provides valuable social and health benefits to both the pet and their owner, yet many people, including the vulnerable and elderly, are often unable to experience pet ownership.
Mark Kelman, co-founder and CEO of Paws for a Purpose, said discovering why people are unable to own pets is key to finding ways to help spread the benefits of pet ownership – with “pets” defined as any domesticated creatures ranging from insects to horses.
“Pets provide unconditional companionship and owning one can improve wellbeing and alleviate loneliness and isolation in our communities,” Kelman said.
“Yet if you are vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or on a low income, pet ownership can often be out of reach, due to a plethora of circumstances.
“We’ve designed this Pet Ownership Survey to better understand how and why people can and can’t own pets, as first step towards developing projects to support those most in need of help to own a pet or keep their current pets.
“We need your help. Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential Pet Ownership Survey as we strive to understand barriers to more people owning pets.”
To complete the survey anonymously, visit www.pawsforapurpose.org/petownershipsurvey.html.