People in the South prefer cats to dogs
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People from the South are bigger cat lovers, and those from the North bigger dog lovers, according to research by Petlog, the UK’s largest lost and found database for microchipped pets.
To coincide with National Microchipping Month, which is taking place throughout June, Petlog conducted research to find out about regional pet ownership trends. The research found that pet owners in the North East are the most likely to own a dog (65% of pet owners owned dogs compared to a national average of 53%) and those in the South East are the most likely to own cats (60% compared to a national average of 54%).
The research also looked at the popularity of microchipping in regions throughout the UK and found that the dog loving North East has the lowest microchipping rate, with research suggesting only around half of pets in the region are microchipped. North Western pet owners, however, are the most likely to have their pets microchipped, with around 60% of pets in the region microchipped, meaning that if they were separated from their owners they have the best chance of being reunited.
For ten years Petlog has been running National Microchipping Month to raise the profile of pet microchipping and its benefits, and also to educate pet owners about how it works, the need to keep contact details up to date and how to make the most from a database.
Petlog conducted research to look into the habits of pet owners around the country for the first time. Celia Walsom, Petlog Executive said: “It was interesting to find that people in the North East are a fifth more likely to have a dog than those in the South East and a fifth less likely to have a cat.
“The survey also identified areas of the country that are most knowledgeable about microchipping and where there is a lack of awareness and knowledge, and now we need to see how we can improve this. Those in London, the North East and Northern Ireland had the lowest understanding of how a microchip works, so campaigns such as National Microchipping Month can help vets in these areas educate their clients and empower pet owners by helping them become more informed about microchipping.”
Microchipping is the most popular form of permanent identification, and has reunited hundreds of thousands of pets and owners in the UK since it was introduced here over twenty years ago.
The survey identified that only around half of pet owners around the country are aware that compulsory microchipping for dogs is coming in to force and that less than two thirds of pet owners know how a microchip works. National Microchipping Month aims to educate pet owners around the country and encourage them to engage with their vets and microchip databases to learn more about microchipping and how it directly affects them and their pet.
This June, hundreds of veterinary practices and welfare centres around the UK are hosting special events as part of National Microchipping Month to help promote the benefits of having dogs microchipped.
Petlog is running a special promotion, offering owners of pets registered on their database the opportunity to update to Petlog Premium lifetime service for just £7.50, inflation proofing any future costs and ensuring that dog owners in particular can update their details ahead of forthcoming legislation.
For more information visit www.nationalmicrochippingmonth.org.uk.
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