A recent survey conducted by a human resources agency in Taiwan revealed that 62.5% of employed individuals in Taiwan own pets. Notably, over 90% of these pet owners spend an average of about 2.5 hours daily playing with their pets.
The results of the “Pet Ownership and Opportunities Survey” released on October 18 by 1111 Job Bank indicate that dogs are the most popular pets among the working population, with 43.1% of respondents choosing to keep them. Cats follow closely at 30.4%, while 16.5% prefer fish.
The survey highlighted that most pet owners acquired their animals through adoption (48.6%), followed by purchases (24.8%), gifts from friends (21.2%), and 5.4% reported finding their pets on the street.
The trend of pet ownership in Taiwan appears to be on the rise, particularly in light of declining birth rates. Statistics show that in 2023, approximately 136,000 babies were born in Taiwan, whereas over 230,000 new dogs and cats were registered that same year. A recent evaluation report from Taiwan’s Development Committee noted that the region is facing a significant population decline, making long-term trends of reduced birth rates and an aging population increasingly evident.
Motivations for pet ownership among working professionals are diverse. When asked about their reasons for wanting or already having pets, 70.8% cited the need for companionship and increased enjoyment in life, while 48.1% simply love animals. Other motivations include stress relief (46.4%) and enhanced interaction with the world around them (38.9%).
However, the survey also found that 7.5% of employed individuals expressed no desire to own pets. The main reasons include unsuitable living arrangements (66.2%), a lack of fondness for animals (61.3%), financial concerns (47.5%), time constraints (44.8%), and allergies (31.4%).
Zeng Zhongwei, a spokesperson for 1111 Job Bank, pointed out that it’s not easy for busy professionals to dedicate time for pet care. Those living in rented apartments may also face restrictions from landlords regarding pet ownership. Zeng advises potential pet owners to carefully consider practical aspects such as cleanliness, neighborly considerations, and space availability before making the commitment to become a pet owner.
This survey was conducted from October 1 to 17, collecting 1,128 valid responses, with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.92 percentage points.
