Alone But Never Lonely, Not While There's A Pet Around

The 2001 census revealed about one fifth of all Australians are living alone, and the figure has probably crept up since then as the country moves to fulfil an Australian Bureau of Statistics projection that in 20 years time the number of lone person households will increase by up to 105%.

But alone doesn't have to mean lonely. Many lone person households are choosing the companionship of a dog or cat to make their house a home.

“A dog or a cat provides companionship, loyalty and a sense of security,” Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS) consultant Denise Humphries said.

Figures from AusVet show that in 2002 lone person households accounted for 15 per cent of cat and more than 20 per cent of dog ownership in Australia. In another survey, conducted by NewsPoll for PIAS in 2004, 94 per cent of women said companionship was the main benefit and reward of dog ownership.

“The therapeutic benefits of pets have long been recognised,” Ms Humphries said. “Having a happy and loving pet to come home to, or who greets you in the morning, can provide a sense of motivation and responsibility which is a strong antidote to loneliness.”

A range of scientific research indicates that owning a dog or cat - or even a parrot or goldfish - can be good for you in all sorts of ways, from easing depression and promoting a quicker recovery from a heart attack. For dog owners, it can also involve taking up exercise and socialising with neighbours in the local dog park.

These benefits have instigated a pilot health care scheme in the UK, which includes the National Health Service providing budgets for patients to acquire a pet where it is agreed it may assist recovery from an illness such as depression.

In Australia, many people seem to be taking that step on their own. “Clearly, many sole person households are deciding to own a dog or a cat,” Ms Humphries said. “A pet brings companionship to a home and dogs are often taken to visit people in hospitals or aged care for this very reason.

“As single person households increase, we're expecting to see more of the people in them take on the joys and responsibilities of pet ownership.”

Issued on behalf of the Petcare Information and Advisory Service

Interesting Facts

Australia - A Nation of Pet Lovers Australia is a nation of pet lovers. It is estimated that 64% of the 7.5 million households in Australia have some type of pet. 52% of these households own either a dog or a cat. Over many years, Australian and international research has shown that owning pets can help improve a person's mental and physical health, reduce the effects of stress; help children learn about responsibility, facilitate social interaction between people and build a sense of community.