Pet animals, which are Italians' favourites
Environment — di Brunella Paciello
Which pet animals do Italians prefer most? Fish and birds come first, with cats, dogs and rodents close behind. But their rights are still not recognised.
Pet animals, which are Italians' favourites
Which pet animals do Italians prefer most? Fish and birds come first, with cats, dogs and rodents close behind. But their rights are still not recognised.
Fish and birds are Italians' favourites. That is what the Assalco/Zoomark report says — the annual compendium on the world of pet animals, presented in Bologna: in Italy the most popular pets are fish, which reach a figure of 30 million, followed closely by birds at around 13 million, making our country the European leader in their prevalence. Dogs number 7 million and cats 7.5 million. Small domestic mammals — rabbits, ferrets and rodents of various species — reach 2 million. The Zoomark/Assalco report, produced with the contribution of Iri – Information Resources and the Associazione nazionale medici veterinari italiani (Anmvi), highlights the ever-growing role of pet animals in Italian homes. However, Italy still lags behind in the full recognition — including legal recognition — of animals' dignity.
Which countries treat pet animals best
The countries with the most advanced regulations on pet animals are Austria, Germany and Switzerland. This is true not only at a legislative level but also at a constitutional level, where animals are recognised as "sentient beings".
In Italy, other problems are apparent: for 70 per cent of Italians, the health and nutrition of pet animals appears to be subject to excessive taxation, on a par with that of a luxury good.
Veterinary care and pet food are indeed currently taxed at a VAT rate of 22 per cent, among the highest in Europe. The good news, however, is that pet-friendly tourism is thriving in Italy: according to a recent study, one in two accommodation facilities in Italy is pet-friendly. This places Italy above the global average (37 per cent) and the European average (40 per cent).
Not just fish and birds
Italians prove to be particularly attentive to ensuring the best possible quality of life for their animals, whether fish, birds, dogs or cats. 77 per cent are fed industrial pet food, which is considered balanced, nutritious and safe by 85 per cent of vets. What is more, nine owners in ten have a regular vet and 85 per cent visit them once or more a year. It is primarily women who take pets to their veterinary appointments (68.5 per cent). However, men are also on a marked rise, having grown from 24.7 per cent ten years ago to 31.5 per cent today, demonstrating that love for animals now transcends differences of gender and socio-cultural background.