According to the latest survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in Taiwan, the number of pet dogs and cats in the country has seen a significant surge compared to the previous year. The survey, released on Friday, indicates a notable increase of 19 percent in pet dogs and a remarkable 50 percent in pet cats compared to figures from 2021.
The data suggests that as the challenges of raising children become more pronounced, an increasing number of individuals are turning to pet ownership for companionship and fulfillment. This shift in preference is underscored by the ministry’s findings, which reveal a notable rise in the nation’s pet population.
Based on a comprehensive telephone survey conducted last year, the ministry’s data indicates that 28.3 percent of households in Taiwan now have pets, reflecting a notable increase of 6.7 percent from the previous year. Specifically, the survey estimates that there were approximately 1,480,637 pet dogs last year, marking a significant uptick from the 1,235,218 dogs reported in 2021. Similarly, the estimated number of pet cats reached 1,311,449, showcasing a substantial increase from the 870,801 cats reported in the previous year.
The ministry attributes this trend to the global phenomenon of increased pet ownership, particularly in urban areas, as indicated by the intensification of urbanization. Notably, the survey highlights that 10.4 percent of households had pet cats last year, reflecting a 3.8 percent increase from 2021, while 13.8 percent had pet dogs, representing a 1.3 percent increase.
Furthermore, the survey underscores the growing diversity of pets in Taiwan, prompting the ministry to consider adjustments in pet administration policies. Notably, the survey reveals an increase in the sterilization rates of both pet dogs and cats, with 68.9 percent of pet dogs and 82.8 percent of pet cats being sterilized last year.
Additionally, the survey indicates an uptick in pet registration rates, with 70.6 percent of pet dogs and 58.4 percent of pet cats being registered last year. While national regulations mandate the microchipping and registration of pet dogs, only Taipei requires the registration of pet cats.
Recognizing the need for enhanced animal welfare management, particularly in light of the growing population of pet cats, the ministry is exploring the feasibility of implementing a mandatory pet cat registration mechanism. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of responsible pet ownership, urging dog owners to prevent their pets from roaming freely outdoors, which contributes to the issue of stray dogs.
The survey, which utilized both landline and cellphone sampling methods, collected 10,348 valid samples, ensuring a confidence level of 95 percent with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points, according to the ministry.
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