This survey found that 66% of Japanese adults like companion animals, while 37% actually had companion animals. The survey also addressed the following issues: 1) reasons for having companion animals; 2) person owning them; 3) castration and sterilization operations; 4) reasons for not having them; 5) problems and troubles of having them; 6) having companion animals born overseas; 7) having them in apartment and condominium; and 8) reasons for ceasing to have them.

A public opinion survey was conducted on animal protection. The result of a survey with 3000 persons who were 20 years old or older showed that 65.5% of them liked companion animals and 36.6% had them. The companion animals were dog (62.4%), cat (29.2%), and fish (11.7%). The survey included the following in addition: (1) reasons for having companion animals, (2) person owning them, (3) castration and sterilization operations, (4) reasons for not having them, (5) problems and troubles of having them, (6) having companion animals born overseas, (7) having them in apartment and condominium, and (8) reasons for ceasing to have them.

Many replied “do not know they existed” or “do not know the contents” to questions concerning regulations about the protection and management of animals. Many replied that “stricter regulations and guidance against troublesome behaviors of pet animal owners” and “stricter regulations and guidance to animal pet traders” should be policies to be promoted in the future. In addition, “taking up owning pet animals in public education” and “more administrative windows” were also mentioned.

[Excerpted from report abstract]