People with pets are particular about the parameters for partners, with 9 in 10 Kiwi pet owners declaring dating a non-animal lover is out of the question.

Pet insurance specialist PD Insurance surveyed 2000 customers with 20 questions to seek insights into how they relate to their companion animals. 

It found that, broadly speaking, when it comes to pet animals we’re a fiercely loyal bunch,  perhaps giving the lie to the old expression that if you want loyalty, get a dog, and love our pets as much as our other family members. Sometimes even more.

PD Insurance Chief Operating Officer Michelle Le Long says the company likes a bit of fun while discovering more about its customers and their pet relationships. 

“With nearly two thirds of NZ households calling pets family, we’re a nation of pet lovers. Animals clearly hold a special place in our hearts,” says Michelle.

“So, as we observe World Animal Day, we’re sharing many heart-warming insights from our customers.”

Adoption is popular, and so are pet cameras

One of Michelle's ‘awesome stats and facts’ is that 26.9 per cent of PD customers got pets from shelters, giving a significant number of animals a great home. 56.6 per cent have sourced from a breeder, 13.8 per cent from friends or family, 3.5 per cent from a store and 14.9 per cent elsewhere.

Keeping an eye on what those furry friends get up to or into once settled in at home is growing in popularity, too. Pet cameras are the most common ‘pet tech’ in use, with 12.7 per cent of pet parents using one to check what the fur kids are doing while they’re out. 

However, Michelle says pet tech adoption is slow in general, as 68.1 per cent don’t use any – though 5.8 per cent of respondents use a GPS tracker.

“It’s probably safe to say this same percentage are proud owners of a wandering dog or cat. Clever move.”

Where technology is accessed more widely is social media: a whopping 34.4 per cent of PD’s customers follow pets or pet influencers. Keep up with those Kardogshians!

Vet visits: In person is best

The concept of quality care through responsible pet ownership, demonstrated across a range of responses, extends to vet visits.

Most prefer in-person visits over online.

Only 7.2 per cent say they’d prefer a virtual consult prior to deciding if a clinic visit was needed, 43.2 per cent say they’ll always prefer a face-to-face vet appointment and 46.7 per cent say they’d not given a virtual vet a go but were open. 2.9 per cent had used one but prefer in-person.

Michelle says that despite vet clinics being under pressure due to staffing and rising costs, it’s heartening to see the country’s animal health practices are doing a great job. 

“That’s reflected in the 76 per cent of respondents who haven’t found it difficult to book an appointment in the past 12 months.”

Pets and vets: Treatment costs

Still, vet care for pets is costly and that continues rising as medical treatments advance.

The bill burden is something felt heavily by the 12.0 per cent of respondents who said that before they had pet insurance they’d put a pet down due to unaffordable treatment fees.

“This is a terrible situation for any pet parent and their vet, causing anxiety and lasting hurt for all parties,” says Michelle.

“We can see why pet parents are increasingly choosing to insure their pet’s health and their bank account – 84.1 per cent of research respondents say having to pay an unexpected $1,000 vet bill would cause concern, with 48.2 per cent saying they’d be very concerned.”

Surprisingly, although all respondents were pet insurance customers, 48.3 per cent didn’t have private health insurance for the humans in their household. When asked why, 7.3 per cent say they valued their pet’s insurance over their own. 13.8 per cent explained that their pet’s health care isn’t subsidised while theirs is and 10.1 per cent say they trust the public health system to take care of them. 28.8 per cent say private health insurance was just too expensive.

Lifestyle and love: Taking a hike for our pets

If haters are gonna hate, they’ll have to do so on their own time. NZ’s pet parents are almost un-animal-ous that only fellow pet lovers make the grade with dating. 90.4 per cent won’t share a candlelit dinner – or any kind of date – with those who don’t like pets. 

“We very much prioritise pets at PD Insurance and so do our customers, even if it means reducing their pool of prospective life partners!” says Michelle.

The all-encompassing love of pets is also reflected in the fact that 51.7 per cent take their pets on holiday. Of those, 36.7 per cent have either cancelled or not booked a holiday because they couldn’t find pet care.

Delving further into accommodation for pets, the research found 50.4 per cent of pet owners who rent a home are prepared to pay $50 more in weekly rent for a pet friendly place. 22.4 per cent will pay $100 more, 2.9 per cent will pay $250 more and 4.8 per cent will pay over $250 more. 

“Landlords, take note. Introducing more pet-friendly rentals could very well be a win-win for everyone involved,” says Michelle.

With natural disasters seemingly around every corner, she adds that it’s fantastic to see 37.1 per cent include pets in home emergency or evacuation plans.

“And another 5 per cent of Kiwis have pet first aid kits. Now that’s responsible parenting – in a box.” 

Pet, or partner?: The jury’s out…

Finally, as a ‘partnering’ shot, Michelle says there’s the one question bound to cause controversy in pet loving households: Pet or partner, who do you love more? 

“For 21 per cent of our partnered-up customers... it’s the pet! But most love their pet and partner equally, at 52 per cent, and 26 per cent give their partner the preference,” says Michelle.