Gates M C, Walker J, Zito S, Dale A
School of Veterinary Science, Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
New Zealand Companion Animal Council , Auckland , New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 2019 Nov;67(6):306-314. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2019.1645626. Epub 2019 Aug 4.
To describe the demographics of and predictors for pet ownership, reasons for visiting a veterinarian, and pet-related expenditure in pet owners in New Zealand. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 18-22 June 2015 using a permission-based panel of New Zealand residents aged ≥18 years. Questions included demographics of respondents, number of pets and reasons for owning or not owning pets, number of visits and reasons for visiting a veterinarian, and pet-related expenditure. Of the 1,572 respondents who completed the survey, 1,013 (64.4%) owned ≥1 pet. Of these, 443 owned dogs, 696 cats, 32 horses, 103 birds, 55 rabbits, and 159 owned fish. Companionship was the most common reason for getting dogs, cats, and birds; horses were mostly owned as a hobby, rabbits to provide fun for children, and fish as a source of relaxation. The majority of dog, cat, and rabbit owners considered their pets to be family members; horse owners almost equally considered their horses a hobby or a family member. The odds of pet ownership increased for respondents from a rural region, having a higher household income, having children and being female. Overall, 711/1,013 (70.2%) pet-owning respondents had taken ≥1 animal to the veterinarian in the previous year, with the most common reasons being for vaccination or annual check-ups or health issues. Respondents who considered their pets trusted companions, had a higher income, and owned dogs or cats compared with other species, were most likely to have taken their pet to a veterinarian. The greatest pet-related expenditure for all species was food. The median yearly veterinary expenditure was $200-499 by dog owners, $100-199 by cat owners, and <$100 by horse, bird, rabbit, and fish owners. The best source of information for pet-related issues was considered to be veterinarians by 724/1,001 (72.3%) owners, and the internet by 509/1,001 (50.8%) owners. Among survey respondents, pet ownership was common and pets filled a variety of roles in the household. Pet owners reported spending considerable amounts of money on their pets each year, but some of them may be underutilising veterinary services despite veterinarians being considered as valuable sources of information about pet-related issues.
描述新西兰宠物主人的人口统计学特征、养宠物的预测因素、拜访兽医的原因以及与宠物相关的支出。2015年6月18日至22日进行了一项横断面在线调查，使用了一个基于许可的新西兰18岁及以上居民小组。问题包括受访者的人口统计学特征、宠物数量以及拥有或不拥有宠物的原因、拜访兽医的次数和原因，以及与宠物相关的支出。在完成调查的1572名受访者中，1013人（64.4%）拥有至少1只宠物。其中，443人养狗，696人养猫，32人养马，103人养鸟，55人养兔子，159人养鱼。陪伴是养狗、猫和鸟的最常见原因；养马大多是出于爱好，养兔子是为了给孩子带来乐趣，养鱼是为了放松。大多数狗、猫和兔子的主人认为他们的宠物是家庭成员；马主人几乎同样认为他们的马是一种爱好或家庭成员。来自农村地区、家庭收入较高、有孩子以及女性受访者拥有宠物的几率增加。总体而言，1013名拥有宠物的受访者中有711人（70.2%）在前一年带至少1只动物去看过兽医，最常见的原因是接种疫苗、年度检查或健康问题。与其他物种相比，认为自己的宠物是值得信赖的伴侣、收入较高且养狗或猫的受访者最有可能带宠物去看兽医。所有物种与宠物相关的最大支出是食物。狗主人每年的兽医支出中位数为200 - 499美元，猫主人为100 - 199美元，马、鸟、兔子和鱼的主人则不到100美元。724/1001（72.3%）的主人认为与宠物相关问题的最佳信息来源是兽医，509/1001（50.8%）的主人认为是互联网。在调查受访者中，养宠物很普遍，宠物在家庭中扮演着各种角色。宠物主人报告说每年在宠物身上花费大量金钱，但尽管兽医被认为是与宠物相关问题的宝贵信息来源，但他们中的一些人可能没有充分利用兽医服务。
