This survey of 1,500 individuals with companion animals, conducted by PetMD, investigates people’s attitudes toward their companion animals. Among other results, the survey finds that almost all people would choose to keep their companion animal over receiving money in a divorce (90%) and feel it is important for children to grow up around companion animals (90%).

Study highlights:

• 15% of respondents said they’d automatically buy products from a company that supports a companion animal charity over products from a company that doesn’t.
• 73% of respondents said they’d choose their companion animal over a human if they could have only one best friend.
• 20% of respondents worry that their companion animal is unhappy.
• One quarter of respondents have tasted their companion animal’s food.
• 60% of respondents would decline a second date if a date didn’t like their companion animals, while 30% percent would try to change their mind about companion animals before dumping him or her.