THEY’RE the most loyal friend, companion and family member someone can have and today they are celebrated.
It’s National Pet Day in America and through the prominence of social media, the day has become a worldwide celebration of all household animals.
Pet ownership in Australia is one of the highest in the world, with about 63 per cent of households owning pets.
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READ NOWAccording to the RSPCA, this equates to more than 25 million pets in the country.
Man’s best friend is the most common pet, with 39 per cent of households owning a dog, meaning there’s about 4.2 million in Australia or 19 dogs for every 100 people.
Cats are the second most common pet, with 29 per cent of households owning a cat, an estimated 3.3 million in Australia or 15 cats for every 100 people.
The other most popular pets to own were birds, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and reptiles.
Now, more than ever, pets are part of the family, often being celebrate with their own birthdays and given presents of clothes, accessories and toys.
There’s a growing trend too of pet owners creating social media pages for their beloved animal, with some gaining thousands of followers like @truebluecashew, a rescue dog named Cashew, on Instagram.
And with school holidays around the corner, it’s also popular to take pets on family getaways, whether a road trip or overseas adventure, with more hotels and rentals accommodating for animals.
Ways National Pet Day is celebrated
1. Pet adoption 2. Volunteering at a local animal shelter 3. Donating goods to an animal welfare organisation 4. Having a peaceful demonstration in front pet stores that sell pets from puppy or kitten mills 5. Hosting a National Pet Day party for pets and their friends 6. Spending the day taking photos of pets and posting them on social media
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