AP-Petside Poll: Companion Animal Or Paramour? Many Say Companion Animal
This 2010 AP-Petside.com poll finds that most current companion animal owners (84%) would hold on to their spouse over their companion animals if a choice were required, though 14% would choose their companion animal over their spouse.
In related findings to the choice between companion animal and spouse:
- Unmarried companion animals owners (25%) are more likely to choose their companion animals over their mate versus married companion animal owners (8%).
- Women (40%) are more likely than men (26%) to say the decision would be tough.
- Fewer differences were found between dog and cat owners; 35% of each said the choice would be difficult, and more than 80% would choose their spouse.
- Urban dwellers (47%) would have a more difficult time choosing than suburbanites (35%) or rural residents (25%).
Also, according to this research, 57% of adults have had to give up a companion animal at some point in their lives, with current companion animal owners (64%) more likely to have done so. The most common reason was health; 69% said their companion animal was too sick to live on, and 52% said their companion animal was too sick to be cared for at home. In addition, 34% of companion animal owners said it would be “extremely” or “very” difficult if they had to choose between a companion animal and a family member who became allergic; 20% said this choice would be somewhat difficult while 46% said it would be “not too difficult” or “not difficult at all.”
You can download a PDF of the full survey here.