Pandemic pushes people to ponder puppies

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-05-11 08:37

Australia; New Zealand; International

Photo by T.R Photography on Unsplash

An analysis of Google search trends has found Aussies and Kiwis were far more interested in cat and dog adoption last year compared to pre-pandemic times. Australians were world-leading in their search for pet adoption at the global peak in April 2020, with New Zealand ranking fourth after the US and Canada. Globally, searches for dog adoption had returned to their average level by December 2020, but interest in cat adoption has remained sustainably high. The researchers say there could be separation anxiety and possible abandonment of these newly adopted pets in the future when the owners eventually leave their homes to return to work.

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Research Frontiers, Web page

Journal/
conference: Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: City University of Hong Kong

Funder: This study was partially supported by an internal research fund from the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong (Project number 9380108).

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