Here’s a stat for you: 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.

This new research finding was uncovered on the eve of World Animal Day, 4 October – an occasion that brings people together to improve education and understanding of the needs of animals so they can live the lives they deserve.

To raise awareness, pet insurance specialist PD Insurance surveyed 2,000 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,” she smiles. “So, as we observe World Animal Day, we’re sharing many heartwarming insights from our customers.”

To the stats: Adoption is popular, and so are pet cameras

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

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

However, Le Long says pet tech adoption is slow in general, as 68.1% don’t use any – though 5.8% of respondents use a GPS tracker. She laughs, “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% 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% said they’d prefer a virtual consult prior to deciding if a clinic visit was needed, 43.2% said they’ll always prefer a face to face vet appointment and 46.7% said they’d not given a virtual vet a go but were open. 2.9% had used one but prefer in-person.

Le Long 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% 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% 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,” Le Long notes.

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

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

The all-encompassing love of pets is also reflected in the fact that 51.7% take their pets on holiday. Of those, 36.7% 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% of pet owners who rent a home are prepared to pay $50 more in weekly rent for a pet friendly place. 22.4% will pay $100 more, 2.9% will pay $250 more and 4.8% will pay over $250 more.

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

With natural disasters seemingly around every corner, she adds that it’s fantastic to see 37.1% include pets in home emergency or evacuation plans. “And another 5% 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, Le Long says there’s the one question bound to cause controversy in pet loving households: Pet or partner, who do you love more?

“For 21% of our partnered-up customers… it’s the pet! But most love their pet and partner equally, at 52%, and 26% give their partner the preference,” laughs Le Long.