Introduction: Dog and cat demographic data can help us to identify influencing factors of successful or failed human-animal relationships (Clancy and Rowan, 2003). From the first demographic data of companion animals in Korea collected during the 2016 Social Survey we could estimate the pet population and analyze the socio-economic characteristics of pet owners.
Methodology: The microdata of the Gyeonggi Social Survey (29th August – 12th September, 2016, n=30,880, 95% confidence interval, SD=±0.7%) from the Microdata Integrated Service were used for the study. Total dog and cat population in Gyeonggi-do (10,175㎢, 4,647,205 households) was estimated. The owners’ characteristics such as age, gender, marriage, residency type, and income and the implication in human animal relationship were analyzed. Correlation of pet ownership and health index (stress, self-assessed health status and hospital visit) was statistically tested.
Main Results: Total 13.2% of the households in Gyeonggi-do owned companion animals (dogs 10.91%, cats 2.0%). The estimated number of dog owning household in this province is 506,545 and number of cat owning household 92,944. The highest rate of pet owners belongs to the age group of the 40s and 50s, live in flat houses and earn $2000 to 3000 monthly. Those who own pets evaluate themselves as healthier than those who do not (p<0.001). Stress level in family is higher (p<0.001), but work related stress level is lower in the householders who have pets (p=0.058).
Principal Conclusions and Implications for Field: These findings give the insight in pet related social and animal welfare issues such as house noise, insufficient veterinary care, and need of public space for pets.